Mets are only the start of a more robust Pete Alonso market

LAS VEGAS — The Mets have opened talks with Pete Alonso, and at least on the surface there seems to be a better feeling around those talks this year than last. 

The nice start to discussions could possibly bode well for the Mets’ chances to retain Alonso. But his market should be much more robust this year than last year after a much better season, no qualifying offer attachment and an apparent willingness to do more DHing despite being a year older. 

Mets baseball president David Stearns said at his media session he’d very much like to have Alonso back, and he’s telling people that Alonso’s presence is important as a terrific producer and also as a protector for superstar Juan Soto. So there’s no confusion about the Mets’ clear interest this year, which seems like a departure from last year when it looked like a split decision among Mets higher-ups and took a last-minute save from owner Steve Cohen to keep Alonso in Queens. 

(That ultimately proved to be the right call, and that could influence the way they’re approaching Alonso’s second consecutive free agency.)