According to a recent report, the New York Mets had “no chance” of bringing back one of their key free agents before a pivotal moment in Game 3 of their Wild Card series—Pete Alonso. His impressive three-run homer against the Milwaukee Brewers not only stunned the crowd but also secured a spot for the Mets in the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jon Heyman from the New York Post noted that Mets owner Steve Cohen would have considered a standard offer had Alonso struggled during the Wild Card round. “There would have been no excitement or momentum,” he stated, implying that the chances of Alonso wearing a Mets jersey again were slim.
In light of the situation, Joel Sherman, also from the New York Post, reported that the Mets previously extended a seven-year, $158 million offer to Alonso, effectively spanning his last arbitration season and six additional years.
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Heyman also mentioned that after a season where Alonso only hit three home runs post-September 3, it appeared unlikely for any team to extend a similar offer to him. At 29, Alonso is a four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion, known for his power, having smashed a rookie record of 53 homers in 2019.
For the past four years, Alonso has averaged 39 home runs per season, but doubts about his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations might affect his market value, at least in New York.
Pete Alonso of the @Mets is the first player in MLB history to hit a go-ahead HR while trailing in the 9th inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 4, 2024
“Until the home run that left Brewers fans crying in their Miller beers,” mentioned Heyman, “Alonso’s most crucial hits were primarily in the first half of the season, enhancing their win probability.”
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Next up, the Mets are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-five NL Division Series starting Saturday in Philadelphia, entering as underdogs once again. After a rollercoaster week, the possibilities seem endless.
This past Monday, the Mets played a doubleheader in Atlanta with their postseason chances on the line. Both teams took one game, allowing the Mets to advance to the Wild Card round.
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On Thursday in Milwaukee, the Mets faced a 2-0 deficit heading into the ninth inning against Brewers closer Devin Williams. Alonso’s three-run home run turned the tide, clinching the game and the series, and potentially preserving his future with the Mets.