Pete Alonso reportedly turned down huge contract offer from Mets
Pete Alonso’s future with the New York Mets is unclear, and that is even more true after a report indicated just how much money he turned down from the team last summer.
The Mets offered Alonso a seven-year, $158 million contract extension last June, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The offer was similar to the eight-year, $168 million extension the Atlanta Braves gave to first baseman Matt Olson.
In spite of this, Alonso’s camp did not accept the offer, and the two sides were not even thought to be close to making a deal. That prompted the Mets to briefly float Alonso as a trade candidate.
The team seemingly changed direction toward the end of the season, when new team president David Stearns took over baseball operations. The team has gone back to trying to work out a contract extension with Alonso, though nothing has come of that and nothing appears close.
Alonso remains the Mets’ most dangerous and valuable hitter, with 10 home runs in the first 44 games of the season. He is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2024 season, so there will be a sense of urgency if the two sides are to get anything done.