Interesting contract update on Mets' Pete Alonso emerges

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns insisted in November that he was "going to have" contract extension conversations with All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso this offseason. 

It appears such talks haven't yet occurred ahead of Christmas. 

Tim Healey of Newsday reported Thursday night that "a source with knowledge" of the Alonso situation revealed that "the sides have not discussed at all this offseason the possibility of a long-term deal that would keep Alonso in Queens." 

Alonso turned 29 years old on Thursday, is set to reach free agency next fall and hired Scott Boras as his agent following this past season. While the popular "Polar Bear" has routinely been linked with a potential move to the Chicago Cubs, Stearns has repeatedly said throughout the fall that he does not "anticipate" trading the slugger before Opening Day 2024. 

Mets icons such as Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry have publicly campaigned for big-spending team owner Steve Cohen to lock Alonso down before the two-time Home Run Derby champion hits the open market. However, Healey added in his piece that "it’s not clear whether the Mets plan to engage" Alonso regarding an extension. 

"I spoke to David," Boras said during this week's winter meetings about talks with Stearns. "We just told him we’re all ears. If he wanted to talk to us about anything, let us know." 

As noted by StatMuse, no MLB player hit more regular-season home runs from 2019 through 2023 than Alonso (192). While it's been thought since the summer that Alonso will ultimately play out a contract year before he becomes a free agent, that was before two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani apparently gave the Mets no chance to win his signature and before the New York Yankees generated talk of a new "Evil Empire" by acquiring All-Star outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres. 

"Boras encourages his clients to go to free agency, since that often is the best way for a player to maximize his earnings," Healey explained. "Most, but not all, follow his advice.