Mets Owner Steven Cohen Doesn’t Expect Long-term Deal With Star Pete Alonso Before Season Ends – News18

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.: New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen doesn’t count on to signal a protracted-time period contract with star first baseman Pete Alonso earlier than the tip of the season.

Alonso has a $20.5 million, one-12 months contract and might grow to be a free agent after the World Series.

“We haven’t had any discussion and I think at this point, for Pete, it’s best for him to go and have a great year and not be distracted,” Cohen stated Sunday at Mets spring coaching camp.

Alonso, who turns 30 in December, was the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year and is a 3-time All-Star. He has a .251 batting common with 192 homers, 498 RBIs and a .870 OPS in 5 main league seasons.

Alonso final fall employed Scott Boras as his agent, and Boras usually prefers his shoppers use their free-agent rights to maximise worth.

Cohen believes his good relationship with Boras might assist the Mets.

“I enjoy the conversation,” he stated.

Cohen, who purchased the Mets in November 2020, pointed to the group’s $102 million, 5-12 months take care of nearer Edwin Díaz and $162 million, eight-12 months contract with outfielder Brandon Nimmo earlier than the 2022 season.

“We know how to do this,” Cohen stated. “We did it with Edwin. We did it with Brandon after the season, and so we’ll figure it out when we get there.”

New York is coming off season by which it completed fourth within the NL East with a 75-87 document regardless of a document $355 million opening-day payroll. The Mets shed gamers for prospects forward of the commerce deadline and paid a document luxurious tax of almost $101 million.

“For the first time I would say that we’re starting to look stacked,” Cohen stated throughout a 20-minute media session, his first of spring coaching. “I don’t think I ever would have said that term. That’s a good feeling. Between that and our ability to use our resources in the free agency market, that’s a pretty powerful combination.”

Cohen stays optimistic that the Mets can attain the playoffs, even with high starter Kodai Senga projected to start out the season on the injured record due to a strained proper shoulder.

“When you talk with players, they said the defense is going to be so much better than last year,” Cohen stated. “Last year we were giving four outs in an inning.”

“We’ve talked about being competitive,” Cohen added. “My expectation is we will be. I think the club looks pretty good. I think general expectations have been pretty low and I think we’ll going to surprise to the upside.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)