What makes Pete Alonso’s Mets value different from other suitors

LOS ANGELES – Some rival executives say they believe free agent slugger Pete Alonso is worth more to the Mets than anyone else because of his exalted stature among fans.

Mets owner Steve Cohen and agent Scott Boras were seen talking at length in the National League Championship Series and the topic could have been Alonso (they’re still not allowed to talk about Juan Soto). But early signs suggest the Mets You can let Alonso look around before submitting an updated offer..

This is not an insult, but it is the same tactic the Yankees once used on Derek Jeter. While Alonso isn’t in Jeter’s category as an all-time ringed great, he is beloved by local fans and helped that relationship with a huge October that included two of the biggest home runs in Mets history for erase an ordinary regular season.

The Astros, Cubs, Orioles and Mariners are seen as other possibilities. And what happens to the Phillies if Bryce Harper returns to the outfield?

Ultimately, the Mets may believe that no one will match their contractual expectations or the value they themselves place on the beloved Met.

While Mets baseball president David Stearns has nothing but positive things to say about Alonso, Cohen is probably the key to these conversations. Former coworkers say Stearns is not in favor of long-term deals for free agents over 20 (Alonso is 29). Soto, who turned 26 on Friday, would be further along his path.