New York Mets' Pete Alonso not 'Comfortable' Talking About Contract
The Mets spent big in the offseason and also rewarded second baseman Jeff McNeil with a contract extension. So does that mean Pete Alonso is next?
On Wednesday morning in Port St. Lucie at the Mets' spring training complex, Alonso made it clear that he does not want to discuss his contract situation.
“I’m super, super happy for Jeff. He’s a great player and he deserves his contract. But personally, I just don’t feel comfortable talking about any contractual stuff,” Alonso told reporters. “If you have any stuff, questions in that regard, you can always ask my agent.”
Alonso, 28, a two-time All-Star first baseman will be a free agent following the 2024 season.
McNeil received a four-year, $50 million contract extension after making his second All-Star appearance and winning the batting title with a .326 average.
The Mets' offseason consisted of extending McNeil, re-signing center fielder Brandon Nimmo to an eight-year, $162 million deal and closer Edwin Diaz to a five-year, $102 million. They also went out and signed Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander on a two-year, $86 million deal and Japanese starting pitcher Kodai Senga to a five-year, $75 million contract, among other moves. This has given the team the highest payroll in MLB history at $364 million.
Alonso is set to make $14.5 million in 2023 after he and the Mets avoided arbitration. This comes a season after he hit 40 home runs and drove in 131 RBIs in 160 games.
“There’s a lot of speculation, but for me, I’m just really happy to be here. I’m really happy to be a Met and I’m really looking forward to this year,” Alonso said. “I just really want to come here and really just work hard and focus on the 2023 season at hand. This is a really special group of guys. I love this team.
“I love representing the city of New York, I love representing the New York Mets. It’s a great place to play. I’m just really happy with where I’m at. Regarding the future, I don’t know what it holds. I’m a New York Met in 2023 and I’m really happy and really stoked to be here.”
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