LOS ANGELES — With the season over and goals of advancing to the World Collection dashed, Pete Alonso spent what might be his closing moments inside a New York Mets clubhouse connecting with folks he cared deeply about.
He seemed third baseman Mark Vientos eye-to-eye, each pairs moist, as he advised the burgeoning star that he was a bona fide big-leaguer and to not take something without any consideration. He embraced the Mets’ stalwart press relations guru Ethan Wilson in a hug, thanking him. Later, with the Mets cap on his head turned backward and a bottle of beer in his hand, he entered a circle of Mets pitchers sitting in a nook and started swapping tales, laughing and having fun with the corporate.
The Mets’ 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Recreation 6 of the Nationwide League Championship Collection on Sunday night time may go down as Alonso’s closing sport with the one membership he has performed for, the group that drafted him almost 9 years in the past. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI single on a bloop, infield hit, which contrasted significantly with all his lengthy dwelling runs over time. In New York, he grew to become a homegrown star, a slugging first baseman who ranks third all-time for the franchise with 226 profession dwelling runs. Whether or not he provides to that complete, who is aware of? As soon as the World Collection ends, he’ll turn out to be a free agent.
Alonso was requested if he deliberate to inform his agent, Scott Boras, to do no matter it takes to maintain him in Flushing.
“Actually, I haven’t considered something that far,” Alonso stated. “I imply, I really like this crew. I really like this group. This fan base has handled not simply myself however my household so, so nicely. Proper now, I’m simply pondering of the group. We’ll see what occurs. We’ll cross that bridge after we get there. However I really like New York. I really like this crew. This group is basically particular. The recollections we created collectively are simply, wow.”
For many of a 12 months, Alonso had shared an analogous model of that reply every time he was questioned about free company and his want to stick with the Mets. He has lengthy stated he loves New York and taking part in for the Mets. However earlier than his stroll 12 months, he employed Boras, identified for exploring the open market together with his shoppers in an effort to get the most effective deal doable. Alonso might return to the Mets. A few years in the past, Brandon Nimmo, the crew’s longest-tenured participant, additionally employed Boras forward of his stroll 12 months solely to re-sign with the Mets.
“Pete has executed a lot for this group, proper from the get-go,” Nimmo stated. “He means so much to the fan base and to this crew. We’d like to see him again right here.
“But additionally going by means of that course of, I perceive it’s a enterprise. He’ll find yourself doing what’s greatest for him and his household. He’s earned the suitable to get this level, there’s no query about that. However I believe this October has positively topped it off. He got here by means of in clutch conditions. He was simply classic Polar Bear Pete. I believe Mets followers will do not forget that fondly regardless. However we’ll see what occurs this offseason.”
Pete Alonso reacts as he takes a foul ball off his foot throughout Recreation 6 however principally inflicted injury through the postseason. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Pictures)
Inside these feedback, Nimmo raised an attention-grabbing level: Alonso had a memorable postseason. He saved the Mets’ season within the Wild Card Collection with a three-run dwelling run off Milwaukee Brewers nearer Devin Williams. From there, he delivered different massive hits, together with a three-run dwelling run within the first inning of Recreation 5 in opposition to the Dodgers on Friday. Alonso’s manufacturing within the playoffs salvaged what was in any other case a substandard 12 months from him.
Forward of free company, Alonso hit 34 dwelling runs with a .788 OPS (123 OPS+). These are strong numbers, however his dwelling run complete was his lowest over a full season, his OPS dipped nicely beneath his profession mark (.854) and he struggled a lot of the season with runners on base.
Alonso’s free company little question creates an interesting state of affairs for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who simply completed a stellar first 12 months in cost, and proprietor Steve Cohen, somebody prepared to spend. Subsequent 12 months, Alonso will play in his age-30 season. Typically, gamers in his place and together with his talent set elevate questions over how nicely they could age. From a speculative viewpoint, the Mets can go in several instructions, together with shifting Vientos to first base. Nonetheless, the worth of Alonso as a homegrown participant shifting up the ranks might imply extra to the Mets than his worth to every other membership.
For now, Alonso insisted he hadn’t thought in regards to the future. Alonso stated he didn’t know when he would get thinking about it, both as a result of he was too centered on the sting of defeat, the finality of a season ending.
“That is all I’ve identified,” Alonso stated. “It’s been a blessing and an honor. I can’t thank everybody sufficient for not simply the previous six years however all of the individuals who helped get me to the massive leagues within the minor league system. There’s so many coaches, teammates that I’ve had which have helped get me thus far. Over the previous 9 years, that is all I’ve identified. I’ve cherished each second of it.”
(High photograph: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Pictures)
