As Atlanta Braves fans sit waiting for an offseason move, entertainment can be found in the Mets' bumbling offseason of decisions. The Mets have lost a number of key pieces, have made some truly questionable moves to replace them, and continue to have frustrating negotiations with first baseman Pete Alonso. Arguably the best thing that could happen for the Braves is an Alonso-Mets reunion that overpays the slugger.
Yes, the Mets landed the star of free agency in signing Juan Soto to a historic deal. Soto is a high-impact player who makes the Mets better and will be frustrating to face with such regularity. However, it's as if the Mets have forgotten what made them a shocking 2024 postseason contender. Overpaying Juan Soto while losing much of their starting rotation is typical of a sad New York franchise. Opting to bring back Pete Alonso at an unrealistic rate would be the cherry on top. Now, Alonso is having to resort to offering the Mets a short-term deal with opt-outs.
According to league sources, Pete Alonso’s camp has offered the Mets a three- year deal with opt outs. This deal is only available to the Mets right now. No deal known to be close at the moment, and Alonso’s agent Scott Boras declined comment . We’ll have more on Power Alley on…
— Jim Duquette (@JimDuquetteGM) January 10, 2025
Pete Alonso's most memorable moment as a Met before last year's surprise postseason run was his infamous "throw it again" taunt that would spark a New York meltdown and epic Braves comeback. Alonso simply isn't a winning player outside of the Home Run Derby. Alonso making the Mets pay top dollar is a win for Atlanta and the rest of the National League East.
Pete Alonso's impasse with the Mets is music to the Braves' ears
While the Mets' splashy free agency grabs headlines the truth remains they are still the third-best team in the division. When healthy, the East is going to be a two-team race with the Phillies and Braves competing for supremacy. Whether or not the Mets are able to convince Alonso to return, this is a poorly run organization that has fumbled the offseason.
Signing the best player in free agency wasn't the path to putting them into division contention. The Mets needed to bring back the rotation stability that put them into contention a season ago. The team's starting rotation is nowhere close in talent and stability to what is in Atlanta or Philly. The depth needed to compete in a loaded division simply isn't there.
On top of that, Alonso is out here pretending that he is a star that he is decidedly not. Yes, he hits home runs, but that is pretty much his only marketable skill as a baseball player. That he and his agent Scott Boras want to beat the seven year, $158 million extension he turned down earlier is dreaming big at it's worst.
With this in mind, New York's focus remaining on Alonso with the very real possibility of losing the slugger is objectively hilarious. Mets fans should sit back and enjoy being crowned in free agency as they await news on Pete Alonso. Free agency rankings are going to be the only thing this team wins in 2025. Despite what offseason headlines might say. this is a team that has gone in the wrong direction and will be unable to compete with far deeper Philly and Atlanta rosters.