LOS ANGELES — With the season over and goals of advancing to the World Collection dashed, Pete Alonso spent what might be his remaining 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 instructed the burgeoning star that he was a bona fide big-leaguer and to not take something as a right. 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 commenced swapping tales, laughing and having fun with the corporate.
The Mets’ 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Sport 6 of the Nationwide League Championship Collection on Sunday night time may go down as Alonso’s remaining recreation with the one membership he has performed for, the group that drafted him practically 9 years in the past. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI single on a bloop, infield hit, which contrasted vastly with all his lengthy house runs over time. In New York, he turned a homegrown star, a slugging first baseman who ranks third all-time for the franchise with 226 profession house runs. Whether or not he provides to that whole, 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 mentioned. “I imply, I like this staff. I like this group. This fan base has handled not simply myself however my household so, so nicely. Proper now, I’m simply considering of the group. We’ll see what occurs. We’ll cross that bridge after we get there. However I like New York. I like this staff. This group is absolutely particular. The recollections we created collectively are simply, wow.”
For many of a yr, Alonso had shared an identical model of that reply each time he was questioned about free company and his need to stick with the Mets. He has lengthy mentioned he loves New York and enjoying for the Mets. However earlier than his stroll yr, he employed Boras, recognized for exploring the open market together with his purchasers 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 staff’s longest-tenured participant, additionally employed Boras forward of his stroll yr solely to re-sign with the Mets.
“Pete has finished a lot for this group, proper from the get-go,” Nimmo mentioned. “He means rather a lot to the fan base and to this staff. We’d like to see him again right here.
“But in addition going by way of that course of, I perceive it’s a enterprise. He’ll find yourself doing what’s finest for him and his household. He’s earned the precise to get this level, there’s no query about that. However I feel this October has positively topped it off. He got here by way of in clutch conditions. He was simply classic Polar Bear Pete. I feel Mets followers will do not forget that fondly regardless. However we are going to see what occurs this offseason.”
Pete Alonso reacts as he takes a foul ball off his foot throughout Sport 6 however largely inflicted injury in the course of the postseason. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Photos)
Inside these feedback, Nimmo raised an fascinating level: Alonso had a memorable postseason. He saved the Mets’ season within the Wild Card Collection with a three-run house run off Milwaukee Brewers nearer Devin Williams. From there, he delivered different massive hits, together with a three-run house run within the first inning of Sport 5 towards the Dodgers on Friday. Alonso’s manufacturing within the playoffs salvaged what was in any other case a substandard yr from him.
Forward of free company, Alonso hit 34 house runs with a .788 OPS (123 OPS+). These are stable numbers, however his house run whole was his lowest over a full season, his OPS dipped nicely under his profession mark (.854) and he struggled a lot of the season with runners on base.
Alonso’s free company little doubt creates an enchanting scenario for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who simply completed a stellar first yr in cost, and proprietor Steve Cohen, somebody keen to spend. Subsequent yr, Alonso will play in his age-30 season. Usually, gamers in his place and together with his talent set increase questions over how nicely they might age. From a speculative standpoint, the Mets can go in numerous instructions, together with transferring Vientos to first base. Nonetheless, the worth of Alonso as a homegrown participant transferring up the ranks might imply extra to the Mets than his worth to some other membership.
For now, Alonso insisted he hadn’t thought in regards to the future. Alonso mentioned he didn’t know when he would get thinking about it, both as a result of he was too targeted on the sting of defeat, the finality of a season ending.
“That is all I’ve recognized,” Alonso mentioned. “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 large leagues within the minor league system. There’s so many coaches, teammates that I’ve had which have helped get me up to now. Over the previous 9 years, that is all I’ve recognized. I’ve cherished each second of it.”
(Prime picture: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Photos)
