Mets Star Says Alonso Has Earned Right To Be Free Agent
The New York Mets have one of baseball’s biggest impending free agents on their roster in first baseman Pete Alonso.
With baseball’s top agent in his corner, Scott Boras, it’s a near-certainty that Alonso will get his chance to explore free agency for the first time — unless the Mets decide to overpay for the slugger.
Alonso addressed the media when he arrived in Port St. Lucie and talked all about his contract situation. He said he’s open to a return to the Mets. But it may be a path of patience for all parties.
One of his teammates, outfielder Brandon Nimmo, said that Alonso has earned the right to explore free agency, just as he did a couple of years ago.
Nimmo spoke to the New York Post about Alonso’s free agency and his own free agency from a couple of years ago. Turns out the pair have something in common — Boras.
When Nimmo hit free agency, he had Boras in his corner. And, like Alonso did last year, Nimmo hired Boras before his walk year.
Nimmo also explored free agency and did the tour. He listened to other teams and got other offers. As it turned out, Nimmo got what he wanted — to stay in New York.
He signed an eight-year, $162 million deal with the Mets that included a no-trade clause. So it all worked out for him.
But will it work out for Alonso and the Mets? That remains to be seen. But as someone who has been through the process and knows what it means to get that opportunity, Nimmo sees Alonso benefiting from going through it.
“From Pete’s perspective he’s earned the right to see what is out there,” Nimmo said. “He could still end up with the Mets, just like me, and I feel really good about that. But he’s earned that right to just go see what other people think of him as well.”
Alonso will surely have plenty of offers. He enters his sixth Major League season with 192 career home runs, a rookie of the year award and three All-Star Game selections.
