LOS ANGELES—He delivered one of the most crucial home runs in New York Mets history, launching a ninth-inning blast against Milwaukee on Thursday that propelled the team into their current National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
With the best-of-five series tied 1-1, Game 3 is set for Tuesday at New York’s Citi Field.
He, who becomes a free agent after the postseason, has expressed his desire to stay in New York. “I’d love to spend the rest of my career with the Mets because it’s a special place,” he said in late August. “This organization has been home to me. It’s been an incredible journey.”
However, His agent, Scott Boras, revealed there has been no communication with Mets owner Steve Cohen or general manager David Stearns regarding His contract. He himself has not spoken with the team either.
“He’s heading to free agency,” Boras said. “We’ll be talking to all the teams like we always do.”
Message to Cohen: time to start negotiating. He, often seen as “Mr. Met,” was drafted by the Mets in the second round of 2016 and has spent his entire six-year career with the team. With 226 career home runs, He is third on the Mets’ all-time list and could overtake Darryl Strawberry’s 252 if he returns next season. He’s also well-known for his charitable efforts in New York and his hometown of Tampa.
“He’s definitely the core of the franchise,” Boras said this weekend while watching the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres warm up before their NLDS game.
Boras acknowledged that it’s not surprising Alonso wants to stay with the Mets. “Any player who’s been with one team would feel that way,” he said. “I’ll talk to Pete after the season to decide his course of action. Most teams don’t negotiate during the season.”
In contrast, Boras pointed to Matt Chapman’s situation. Chapman, part of the “Boras Five,” held out until spring training and signed a one-year deal with the Giants. By September, the Giants renegotiated and extended Chapman’s contract to a six-year, $151 million deal.
Meanwhile, the other four Boras Five players haven’t had as much success. Jordan Montgomery struggled and fired Boras, while Blake Snell had a solid second half with the Giants and is likely to opt out. Cody Bellinger and J.D. Martinez are also expected to hit the market this winter.
This offseason will be busy for Boras, representing not only Alonso but also Juan Soto, who is seeking a long-term deal worth $500 to $600 million after excelling with the Yankees. Boras and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner have already had preliminary discussions about Soto.
Alonso’s situation remains uncertain, with no contact between him and the Mets management. “Not that I know of,” Boras said.
Losing Alonso could echo the infamous trade of Tom Seaver in 1977, when then-owner M. Donald Grant sent the Mets icon to the Cincinnati Reds instead of paying to retain him. Seaver went on to win 311 games and enter the Hall of Fame.
Despite a challenging season at the plate, where Alonso hit just .240 with a career-low .788 OPS, his 34 home runs and his series-clinching homer against the Brewers have reignited fans’ support. That pivotal moment may help cement his future with the Mets, who could find a way to offer a deal in the hundreds of millions that satisfies all parties.
Boras called Alonso’s home run against the Brewers “a remarkable franchise-turning event for both the Mets and Milwaukee.” Whether it will be career-defining for Alonso remains to be seen.
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