Mets Owner Steve Cohen Wants To Keep Superstar Slugger Pete Alonso Long-Term

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen spoke candidly and admitted he wants to keep superstar slugger Pete Alonso, who is set to become a free agent after the season.

The boss has spoken.

Although the New York Mets are unlikely to reach a contract extension with superstar slugging first baseman Pete Alonso before free agency next year, team owner Steve Cohen has made it clear that he wants to retain him for the long-term.

“We want to keep him,” Cohen said in a preview of the Mets’ new official podcast.

Steve Cohen sure sounds like a man who’d like Pete Alonso to be a Met for a long time#Mets have to be the team to reach out first though, so let’s see how things play out once we’re already in the regular season pic.twitter.com/t01fzUbjTB

— Tyler (@WardyNYM) February 23, 2024

“He’s an important part of our team today and hopefully in the future,” Cohen added. “We know the fans feel strongly about him, and I’m not tone-deaf. I totally understand the fans’ love of Pete.

“I hope he hits 55 home runs and makes it so difficult on me in free agency. I would call that a great outcome.”

Alonso has certainly become a fan favorite and franchise cornerstone since entering the league in 2019. He has hit more home runs and driven in more RBIs than any player in baseball during this span. If Alonso were to depart from Queens, it would surely create a hysterical uproar amongst the fan base, which Cohen understands, as he is a Mets fan himself.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said at the start of spring training that the most likely outcome is Alonso going to free agency, which means the team will then have to try to re-sign him, as well as risk getting outbid by another club.

"Look, when you have a really talented player, who's really good, who's entering his final year of club control, who happens to be represented by Scott Boras," Stearns said, "these things generally end up into free agency and we understand that."

As Stearns continued, the team is "certainly invested in keeping Pete a Met and I’m hopeful, over time, we’ll be able to work that out."

Upon arriving at camp down in Port St. Lucie, Fla. last week, Alonso made it clear he is focused on baseball, but being a Met for life has crossed his mind and he loves playing in New York City, which is an iconic place.

"I love it here. I definitely have envisioned myself as a lifelong Met. That's something I've definitely thought about,” he said. “And I love New York, it's a really special place for my family and [me].

"I've definitely thought of the idea and I've definitely welcomed the idea, but I can't predict the future. For me, I just want to focus on this season. I just want to be the best person I can be."

According to Alonso, he and agent Scott Boras are open to negotiating an extension during the regular season if the Mets approach them first. However, this rarely occurs, as it can create a major distraction in season, and given the fact that the Mets have yet to talk about a potential new deal with Alonso likely indicates they are comfortable letting things go to free agency next year. What is evident is that Cohen and the Mets want to keep Alonso, who has become a superstar on the biggest stage and is beloved by fans. It would be difficult to let go of a special player like that, and the Mets are aware of that aspect.

There is also a glimmer of hope for Alonso staying with the Mets, as the team has a substantial portion of money coming off the books in 2025. So after they took a year off from spending on players, there will likely be enough money available to pay Alonso the hefty contract he is expected to receive.