Mets' David Stearns Reportedly Will Be Reluctant To Deal Superstar Pete Alonso
The New York Mets have a franchise-altering decision to make regarding star first baseman Pete Alonso, whose contract expires after the 2024 season.
Despite the Mets' deep pockets, many have speculated that the three-time All-Star could be on the move this winter.
Fortunately, the new regime tends to favor Alonso's offensive profile.
"The person who pointed out the Stearns' (Adam) Lind-for-minor league (Freddy) Peralta trade to me said he'd be 'very surprised' if the Mets' new president of baseball operations (David Stearns) traded Alonso: 'He believes in power and pitching as the analytic fulcrum,'" SNY's John Harper tweeted Wednesday.
Alonso is hitting .224 with 62 extra-base hits including 44 home runs, 105 RBIs and a .861 OPS (133 OPS+) in 136 games.
The 28-year-old slugger is having a down year from a batting average perspective but his OPS remains right around his career norm. Stearns appears to be an analytics-driven decision-maker who relies a lot more on overarching production and won't sweat the low batting average.
There's no reason why the Mets could not reach an agreement with Alonso prior to hitting free agency after spending a record amount in free agency last offseason. Stearns will likely spend his budget much wiser than his predecessor and Alonso makes a lot more sense to invest in than a pair of 40-year-old hurlers.
Stearns leading the way is a good thing for those who want to see Alonso in a Mets uniform for the long haul.
