The future of the Polar Bear seems to be leaning the other way with dramatic turns in the negotiations of his contract. Pete Alonso’s boom money demand of $100 million has had an underlying rift between Alonso’s agent Scott Boras and Mets owner Steve Cohen as fans await whether Alonso will stick with Mets or continue his search in a new home. Meanwhile, Boras’ high-stake move seems to attract attention throughout the MLB.
Alonso and Mets: The Tug-of-War Over $100M
Pete Alonso had a tremendous season, hitting 34 home runs, maintaining a .240 batting average, and playing all 162 games for the Mets. The Mets offered him a three-year deal worth $70 million, but Alonso, who was expecting a contract north of $100 million, rejected it, and the two sides engaged in a contentious standoff.
Cohen is visibly frustrated. In a recent fan event, he said, “Soto was tough, this is worse,” as he compared the Alonso negotiations to the Mets’ $765 million deal for Juan Soto, which Boras also helped orchestrate. The situation is tiring for the Mets, and Boras’s negotiation tactics appear to be pitting the parties against each other.
Is Boras’s Magic Fading?
Scott Boras is known for getting blockbuster deals, and lately, he has faced much criticism. In fact, except for Juan Soto, one would argue that his approach of late has failed him. Alonso still has no new team; other MLB teams are not ready to pay the $100 million asking price. Fans are asking whether Boras’ methods are still effective while spring training is just weeks away.
It’s equally challenging for the Mets if Alonso leaves, though. Options exist, with third baseman Mark Vientos moving over to first and using the promising prospects in the organization like Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuña. Cohen has already said he’s building a team that doesn’t rely on a single player.
What’s Next for Alonso and the Mets?
With the pressure mounting, reported interest from blue-chip suitors like the Blue Jays and Angels make things interesting. The value added to a squad that already boasts heavy hitters in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette makes him a great fit for the Blue Jays. The $100 million he’s reportedly looking for might get a push from the Angels, which could be what Alonso needs.
Ultimately, this saga of Polar Bear underscores the hurdles of negotiations in modern MLB. The candor of Cohen does point out the strain on team owners, with fans at the edge of their seats waiting for resolution. Will Alonso get his payday, or will Boras’s gamble backfire? For now, the saga continues, and so does suspense.
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