Report: Mets Told Pete Alonso's Camp They Require a Decision Soon

The clock is ticking for Pete Alonso and the Mets to come to agreement on a new deal in free agency as the two sides remain engaged.
Oct 18, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game five of the NLCS during the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of game five of the NLCS during the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Time may be running out for Pete Alonso and the New York Mets to reach an agreement on a new contract.

After six seasons in the major leagues, Alonso is a free agent for the first time in his career and his market has not been moving as fast as he would have hoped. With the start of spring training fast approaching, they're wanting a decision from the free-agent first baseman soon.

According to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, both the Mets and Alonso's camp are "making progress" on the structure of a new deal but they still have a "substantial financial hurdle" to get any potential new contract done.

Heyman and Sherman are also reporting that the Mets have notified Alonso's camp that they need a decision from them soon or else New York could end up pivoting to other options at first base.

This news comes after SNY's MLB insider Andy Martino reported on Wednesday that the Amazins' have reportedly checked in on Toronto Blue Jays star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose name has been in trade rumors.

Despite proving to be one of the league's most prolific power hitters since making his major league debut in 2019, it should not come as much of a surprise that the 30-year-old Alonso is still on the open market after having his worst offensive season last year.

The Polar Bear slashed just .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBI and had a career-worst .788 OPS in 162 regular season games. Alonso did, however, have a very productive postseason for the Mets in October by batting .273/.431/.568 with four home runs and 10 RBI in 13 games.

His biggest home run in the postseason came in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers when he launched a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning off of All-Star closer Devin Williams that led to New York's eventual series-clinching win.

Even though Alonso played a major factor during the Mets' magical playoff run last year, the team is still reluctant to give the slugging first baseman a massive contract. It now seems like the Mets are running out of patience with Alonso and agent Scott Boras during this free agency cycle.

Read More:

- Why Insider Doesn't See Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Getting Traded

- New York Mets Reportedly Showing Interest in Lefty Reliever Tim Hill

- Jesse Winker Named as Potential Pete Alonso Replacement For Mets


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Logan VanDine
LOGAN VANDINE

Logan VanDine is a contributing writer for On SI's Mets and Yankees websites. Logan is a graduate of Rider University where he majored in Sports Media and minored in Sports Studies. During his time at Rider, Logan worked for Rider's radio station, 107.7 The Bronc as a sports host, producer and broadcaster, and for the school's paper: The Rider News. He began his time with The Rider News as a section writer for sports and was a copy editor for two years followed by being one of the sports editors during his senior year. Logan also placed third in the New Jersey Press Foundation Awards for sports feature writing. Aside from his work at On SI, he is also a writer for FanSided covering the New York Giants and Mets and also covers the Giants for Total Apex Sports. Give him a follow on X: @VandineLogan