LOS ANGELES — With the season over and dreams of advancing to the World Series dashed, Pete Alonso spent what could be his final moments inside a New York Mets clubhouse connecting with people he cared deeply about.
He looked third baseman Mark Vientos eye-to-eye, both pairs moist, as he told the burgeoning star that he was a bona fide big-leaguer and not to take anything for granted. 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 corner and began swapping stories, laughing and enjoying the company.
The Mets’ 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday night might go down as Alonso’s final game with the only club he has played for, the organization that drafted him nearly nine years ago. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI single on a bloop, infield hit, which contrasted greatly with all his long home runs over the years. In New York, he became a homegrown star, a slugging first baseman who ranks third all-time for the franchise with 226 career home runs. Whether he adds to that total, who knows? Once the World Series ends, he will become a free agent.
Alonso was asked if he planned to tell his agent, Scott Boras, to do whatever it takes to keep him in Flushing.
“Honestly, I haven’t thought of anything that far,” Alonso said. “I mean, I love this team. I love this organization. This fan base has treated not just myself but my family so, so well. Right now, I am just thinking of the group. We’ll see what happens. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. But I love New York. I love this team. This group is really special. The memories we created together are just, wow.”
For most of a year, Alonso had shared a similar version of that answer whenever he was questioned about free agency and his desire to stay with the Mets. He has long said he loves New York and playing for the Mets. But before his walk year, he hired Boras, known for exploring the open market with his clients in an effort to get the best deal possible. Alonso could return to the Mets. A couple of years ago, Brandon Nimmo, the team’s longest-tenured player, also hired Boras ahead of his walk year only to re-sign with the Mets.
“Pete has done so much for this organization, right from the get-go,” Nimmo said. “He means a lot to the fan base and to this team. We’d love to see him back here.
“But also going through that process, I understand it’s a business. He will end up doing what’s best for him and his family. He’s earned the right to get this point, there’s no question about that. But I think this October has definitely topped it off. He came through in clutch situations. He was just vintage Polar Bear Pete. I think Mets fans will remember that fondly regardless. But we will see what happens this offseason.”
Pete Alonso reacts as he takes a foul ball off his foot during Game 6 but mostly inflicted damage during the postseason. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
Within those comments, Nimmo raised an interesting point: Alonso had a memorable postseason. He saved the Mets’ season in the Wild Card Series with a three-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams. From there, he delivered other big hits, including a three-run home run in the first inning of Game 5 against the Dodgers on Friday. Alonso’s production in the playoffs salvaged what was otherwise a substandard year from him.
Ahead of free agency, Alonso hit 34 home runs with a .788 OPS (123 OPS+). Those are solid numbers, but his home run total was his lowest over a full season, his OPS dipped well below his career mark (.854) and he struggled most of the season with runners on base.
Alonso’s free agency no doubt creates a fascinating situation for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who just finished a stellar first year in charge, and owner Steve Cohen, someone willing to spend. Next year, Alonso will play in his age-30 season. Generally, players in his position and with his skill set raise questions over how well they may age. From a speculative point of view, the Mets can go in different directions, including moving Vientos to first base. Still, the value of Alonso as a homegrown player moving up the ranks may mean more to the Mets than his value to any other club.
For now, Alonso insisted he hadn’t thought about the future. Alonso said he didn’t know when he would start considering it, either because he was too focused on the sting of defeat, the finality of a season ending.
“This is all I’ve known,” Alonso said. “It’s been a blessing and an honor. I can’t thank everyone enough for not just the past six years but all the people who helped get me to the big leagues in the minor league system. There’s so many coaches, teammates that I’ve had that have helped get me to this point. Over the past nine years, this is all I’ve known. I’ve loved every second of it.”
(Top photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
