Pete Alonso, first baseman for the New York Mets, reaffirms his dedication to staying with the team amidst trade deadline speculations.
- Pete Alonso is determined to remain with the Mets, expressing his love for the team and city.
- The Mets, initially struggling, have turned their season around, now holding a wild-card spot.
- Despite trade rumors, it’s unlikely Alonso will be traded due to his popularity and productivity.
Pete Alonso’s Desire to Stay with the Mets
The future of New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has been a persistent subplot for the club this season.
As he enters his walk year, the discussions about a long-term contract extension have not gained much traction.
Despite this, Alonso has consistently expressed his desire to remain with the Mets, the team that drafted him in 2016. During the MLB All-Star week, Alonso reaffirmed his wish to stay in Queens.
“I’m super happy to be a Met, super proud to be a Met. And, again, it’s just been awesome. I’d love to stay, and I don’t want to get traded. I love it. It’s home,” Alonso told ESPN’s Jorge Castillo.
Mets’ Midseason Turnaround Reduces Trade Speculation
Earlier in the season, the Mets’ struggles led to speculation that Alonso might be traded before the July 30 trade deadline.
As of June 2, the Mets were 11 games below .500 and seemed destined for a poor season.
However, they turned their fortunes around and, at the break, held a record of 49-46, securing the third wild-card spot in the National League.
This shift makes it less likely that the Mets will be major sellers at the deadline.
Alonso’s Strong Season Boosts His Value to Mets
While slightly below his career norms, Alonso’s performance this season remains solid. He is slashing .240/.319/.454 with 19 home runs in 95 games, which translates to a 121 OPS+.
Trading a popular and productive player like Alonso, especially when the team is contending, would be difficult.
The return for a righty-righty first baseman who is a pending free agent might not justify the negative impact on public relations.
Alonso Expresses Strong Desire to Stay with Mets
During his All-Star Game media availability, Alonso made it clear that he wishes to stay with the Mets beyond the trade deadline.
He reiterated his affection for the team and the city, saying, “I’d love to stay, and I don’t want to get traded. I love [New York]. It’s home.”
Despite the ongoing trade rumors, Alonso remains focused on helping the Mets win.
“Right now, there’s a lot that could happen, and whatever the front office and ownership decides to do, that’s their prerogative,” Alonso explained.
“But for me, my job is to do whatever I can to help win ballgames every single day. I love this organization, I love this city, so I just want to do the best I can every single night for the guys in the clubhouse and the fans.”
What’s Next for Alonso and the Mets
Right now, it doesn’t look like Pete Alonso will sign a new contract with the Mets before he can become a free agent.
Some in the MLB community think Mets executive David Stearns might consider other players, like Yankees outfielder Juan Soto.
Even so, because Alonso loves the Mets and plays really well, he will unlikely be traded this season. The Mets start the second half of their season with four games against the Miami Marlins.
These games are important for Alonso and his teammates to show that their recent good play is real and to strengthen their chances of making the playoffs.
Alonso’s words show his love and dedication: “I love New York. I love the Mets. I love being in Queens. It’s really been such a special place. Some of my best, not just baseball memories but life memories, have been in New York.“
