I hate these negotiations. I'm tired. The Mets owner explodes, and the interpretation of the pressure to actually break up with FA Alonso

Jan 26, 2025

New York Mets Pete Alonso roars after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers in October last year. AP Yonhap News

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen speaks at the joining ceremony of Juan Soto on December 13 (Korea time) last year. EPA Yonhap News

The New York Mets seem to have chosen to break up with Pete Alonso. The owner expressed his position himself.

Mets owner Steve Cohen spoke to fans at a fan event held at City Field on the 26th (Korea time) and said in an interview with local media that he was tired of the conversation and negotiations with Alonso. In other words, negotiations with Juan Soto were difficult, which is even harder.'"We made a lot of pretty good offers. However, we do not like the structure in which the proposal is presented to us again. I have a strong opinion that these negotiations are very biased against us."

They say they are dissatisfied with the situation in which they are in a tug-of-war with Alonso in the new year to exchange contract terms. It may be a public statement to pressure Alonso, but there may be an interpretation that it has officially declared the breakdown of the negotiations.

Alonso recently proposed $93.3 million for three years, which includes opt-out rights, with agent Scott Boras at the forefront, but the Mets reportedly rejected it and proposed a revised $70 million for three years. Then, as Alonso ignored it, the negotiations between the two sides appeared to have actually collapsed.

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen pressed him with the expression 'tired' in negotiations with Pete Alonso. ImagesYonhap News

Cohen said "I would never say no. There is always a possibility. But the reality is that we have to move forward and continue to bring in players," he said. "It has become more difficult in reality to reconcile the pit with the very expensive group of players we already have. That's our reality now."

In other words, the remarks suggest that he will turn to other players because negotiations with Alonso are difficult to move forward.

He went on to say "I'm being straightforward and honest. I hate this negotiation. I don't like what's in front of us. Perhaps it will change" "I will always remain flexible. But if the situation is like this, I think we need to get used to the players we have now and the fact that we can move forward," he stressed.

He said there was no reason to continue negotiations with Alonso.

This offseason, the Mets' recruitment of players has been explosive. It's the highest-spending offseason since 2020, when Cohen took over ownership and management of the Mets. He invested as much as 765 million dollars for 15 years, the largest in sports history, to sign Juan Soto, the FA's largest fish, and brought in a large number of pitchers such as Frankie Montas ($34 million for two years), Clay Holmes ($38 million for three years), and Sean Munnaia ($75 million for three years). He also re-signed Jesse Winker ($7.5 million for one year) and hired left-hander AJ Minter ($22 million for two years).

There are other measures suggesting a break with Alonso. Petts recently made a plan to use third baseman Mark Vientos and Brett Beitty as first basemen and ordered defensive practice. The two players confirmed the club's demands at the event.

Pete Alonso has become a big guns representing both leagues with Aaron Judge of the AL New York Yankees, hitting 226 home runs and 586 RBIs since his debut in 2019. AP Yonhap News

Mets President David Stearns said "We've said many times that we love Pete. The negotiations also made this clear. Of course, I understand that this is business and that Pete has rights as an FA"But at the same time, we also know that young players who grew up in our farm have the ability to play at a major league level."

It is no exaggeration to say that Vientos is the largest harvest discovered by the Mets last year. He hit .266 with 27 home runs, 71 RBIs and an OPS of 0.837 in 111 games as the main third baseman.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza also vowed to use veterans Jarrett Young and Joey Menesis, who he recruited this winter, as first baseman agents. In other words, they have prepared all scenarios in case Alonso leaves.

Shortstop and Mets signer Francisco Lindor "Pete has always been a colleague since I came here (since 2021). He played here before I did. I think it would be different if I went somewhere else"He thinks he should take his time. We must make the best decision for ourselves."

The Mets offered Alonso a seven-year, $158 million extension in June 2023 and was rejected. Since then, negotiations on the extension have not resumed, and Alonso's skills have continued to decline in the meantime. This is why his market value ($159 million for six-year ESPN) is below expectations this offseason.