New York Mets

The contract negotiations between Pete Alonso and the New York Mets appear to have hit an additional rough patch.

At the organization's "Amazin' Day," owner Steve Cohen said that he doesn't like "the structure of the offer" that Alonso's camp has put forward in contract negotiations. In response to these claims, Alonso's agent Scott Boras defended the structure and said that it falls under "established fairness standards."

"Pete's free-agent contract structure request are identical to the standards and practices of other clubs who have signed similarly situated qualifying-offer/all-star level players," Boras said, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. "Nothing different. Just established fairness standards."

Alonso reportedly turned down a three-year contract from the Mets on Jan. 16. Ken Rosenthal and Sammon reported that Alonso's camp had countered with a three-year deal that had "opt-outs" and a "high averaged annual value" that was only offered to the Mets.

Alonso is a four-time All-Star and hit .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs in 2024. He helped the Mets reach the NLCS and has been a core piece of the lineup since 2019.

He has also received interest from the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency. While Alonso has given the Mets an opportunity to sign with him, Cohen and Boras' respective comments show that a deal is still a bit distant.

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen acknowledged Saturday that the team could be moving toward a future without Pete Alonso at first base.

Cohen acknowledged the contract negotiations with Alonso and said that he doesn't "like" them or the "structure of the offer."

"I don't like the negotiations," Cohen said. "I don't like what's been presented to us. Maybe that changes...If it stays this way, I think we have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with existing players."

Cohen's comment came during the team's "Amazin' Day," and fans at the event chanted "We want Pete" to Cohen, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

Cohen's comments came shortly after Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor reflected on Alonso's negotiations and said that while it would be "different" if Alonso leaves, he believes the first baseman should make the "best decision for himself."

"Pete's been here since I've been here," Lindor said, per Jorge Castillo of ESPN. "He was here before me. So, yeah, it would be different if he goes somewhere else. Yeah, it would be different. But I think he should take his time. I think he should make the best decision for himself and not feel that he's rushed."

Alonso has been a staple in the Mets' lineup since 2019 and is a four-time All-Star. He hit .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs in 2024 while helping the Mets reach the NLCS.

He reportedly turned down a three-year contract from the Mets on Jan. 16. He has also received interest from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The New York Mets have revealed new blue alternate road uniforms for the 2025 season.

The uniforms were on display during Amazin' Day at Citi Field.

Leaks earlier this week ultimately proved real as the Mets will wear these alternate blue uniforms.

The news broke Thursday on the Meet at the Apple podcast.

Per Danny Abriano of SNY, "MLB teams are limited to five jerseys—one official home jersey, one official road jersey, two alternate jerseys, and the City Connect jersey."

Abriano guessed at the time that the Mets would either obtain a new gray jersey or a road alternate jersey. The latter option has now occurred, meaning that the team needs to drop a jersey from the rotation. One can guess that would mean an alternate jersey, and Abriano guessed the blue home alternate would be a possibility.

The Mets only wore the blue uniforms five times last year. They were the typical blue uniforms with orange lettering. This time around, the lettering is blue with an orange outline.

New York enters the 2025 season with great expectations after adding superstar free agent outfielder Juan Soto into the mix on a $750 million contract.

The Mets enjoyed a fantastic run to the National League Championship Series last year, pushing the eventual Los Angeles Dodgers to six games before falling to the champs.

New York's 2025 season begins on March 27 at the Houston Astros.

The New York Mets will unveil a new road jersey during Saturday's Amazin Day event at Citi Field, according to Danny Abriano of SNY.

Because MLB teams are only allowed to have five uniform options, it's likely that the team is either ditching its current road gray option or its black road alternate.

The team could also move on from its blue home alternate, given that it wears its City Connect uniform for home games.

As Abriano noted, "The Mets' current traditional road gray jersey with 'NEW YORK' across the chest dates back to the team's inception in 1962, though the team has worn different road jerseys through the years. Among them: Pullover style jerseys worn for much of the 1980s, including the gray "racing stripe" jerseys that had 'Mets' across the chest and were worn in 1986. In 1987, the Mets wore a road gray jersey that had 'NEW YORK' in an elongated, different kind of script. In 1988, the 'NEW YORK' across the gray road jersey was in block lettering."

The more exciting news, of course, is that the new road jersey will be worn by Juan Soto, who the Mets' signed to a massive 15-year, $765 million contract this winter, landing the biggest free agent in the sport and stealing him from the New York Yankees in the process.

Heady times for these Mets, who made a surprise run to the NLCS last season and now will feature one of the biggest stars in the sport.

Pete Alonso reportedly turned down the New York Mets' counteroffer in free agency.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, Alonso's camp proposed a "three-year deal with a high average annual value and opt-outs" exclusively to the Mets. Alonso then rejected New York's counteroffer, which was a straight three-year offer.

The report of Alonso rejecting the offer comes as his free-agent market continues to get bigger. On Thursday, Rosenthal and Sammon reported that three teams have engaged in discussions about Alonso, one of those teams being the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Mets "have pivoted to plan B, post-Alonso" and are expecting him to sign elsewhere. Martino also reported on Wednesday that the Mets had a conversation with the Blue Jays "checking in" on first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s trade availability.

But Toronto might not be willing to give up its star, even if it lands a replacement for him at first base in Alonso. Rosenthal and Sammon noted that if the Blue Jays sign Alonso, they'd prefer to keep Guerrero as well. In that scenario, they could pivot Guerrero to third base, where he played 12 games last year, or use either player as a designated hitter.

Guerrero will be with the Blue Jays for at least one more season, as he and Toronto agreed to a $28.5 million salary for 2025, avoiding arbitration.

The pairing of Alonso and Guerrero would be quite a boost to the Blue Jays lineup. Alonso had 34 homers and 88 RBI with a .240 batting average a season ago while Guerrero had 30 home runs, 103 RBI and a .323 batting average.

There's still time for New York to make another offer for Alonso and keep him in a Mets uniform for a seventh consecutive season, but it seems they'll have to move rather swiftly as he begins discussions with other teams.

The New York Mets would "love" to figure out a trade for Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. "in a perfect world," according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

SNY's Andy Martino reported Wednesday that the Mets were "checking in" with the Blue Jays regarding Guerrero earlier in the offseason, but noted that the possibility of an agreement being reached was "far from the most likely" outcome.

The 25-year-old has made All-Star appearances in each of the past four seasons with Toronto.

Four-time All-Star Pete Alonso has served as New York's first baseman since 2019, but his current free agency makes a return to the team uncertain.

In fact, Martino reported Thursday that the Mets "expect that Alonso will sign elsewhere" after the two sides were unable to figure out a new contract.

If New York doesn't view Alonso as an option anymore, Guerrero seems to be on the team's radar in an ideal scenario. The 25-year-old wrapped up a strong 2024 campaign, finishing No. 6 in American League MVP voting.

In 159 appearances, Guerrero hit .323 with 30 home runs, 44 doubles and 103 RBIs. His .544 slugging percentage and .940 OPS both represented the second-highest marks of his career.

Guerrero will earn $28.5 million for the 2025 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent, via Spotrac. If the Blue Jays aren't confident that they'll be able to retain him, they could explore trade opportunities.

A long-term agreement between Guerrero and Toronto can still be reached, as Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith revealed on Thursday that both sides are "actively negotiating" a new extension.

The Mets have already made a major offseason addition, signing superstar Juan Soto to a 15-year contract worth $765 million.

They appear to have their eye on Guerrero as well, even if a trade may not ultimately materialize.

The New York Mets can maintain their leverage in any negotiations with Pete Alonso by keeping their options open, and they reportedly are doing just that.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Thursday that New York has "discussed the possibility of other free agents taking first-base reps" as discussions continue with Alonso. Passan also highlighted the team's leverage since "there are no others in the market for a first baseman at $25 million-plus a year."

What's more, Andy Martino of SNY noted the team has "pivoted to Plan B."

That New York seemingly holds all the cards follows similar reports in recent weeks.

Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post pointed out first basemen such as Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Burger, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Naylor, Carlos Santana and Christian Walker finding homes this offseason means there are few teams looking for high-profile players at the position at this point.

Along those lines, Martino previously reported the Mets are "holding the line on both the length and dollars of their short-term offer, which includes an opt-out after the first year."

It's not an ideal scenario for the free agent to be in, especially since his resume suggests he would have more leverage than he seemingly does.

After all, he is a four-time All-Star with three seasons of at least 40 home runs. Even though one of them wasn't in the 2024 campaign, he was still productive while slashing .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBI for a Mets team that made the playoffs.

Alonso would bring significant offensive pop to any team he signed with and would be quite the one-two punch alongside Juan Soto if he remained in New York.

But the team is at least keeping its options open as the offseason progresses.

There are reportedly still ongoing conversations between the New York Mets and Pete Alonso, although the team is hoping for a relatively quick solution.

Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Wednesday the two sides are "making progress on at least the structure of a proposed deal that's expected to be for three years and include at least one opt out."

Still, they also noted there remains a "substantial financial hurdle" and that the Mets want a decision "soon" in case they have to focus elsewhere if they cannot come to terms on a deal.

While Alonso is a four-time All-Star who has helped anchor the Mets' lineup in recent years, he may not have as much leverage as one would assume.

Sherman and Heyman explained that first basemen such as Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Burger, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Naylor, Carlos Santana and Christian Walker have all found homes this offseason, while the Detroit Tigers addressed the position by moving Colt Keith.

That doesn't leave that many teams with obvious openings at the position, so the Mets aren't exactly bidding against half the league in these negotiations.

That may be why they are "holding the line on both the length and dollars of their short-term offer, which includes an opt-out after the first year," per Andy Martino of SNY. Martino noted New York would like to bring Alonso back at the right price but will move in a different direction if need be following the negotiations.

The 30-year-old brings plenty to the table as an offensive force.

His resume includes the four All-Star Games, a National League Rookie of the Year and three seasons with at least 40 home runs, including when he launched 53 as a rookie in 2019.

He slashed .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBI last season after finishing the 2023 campaign with 46 long balls and 118 RBI. Alonso also led the league in RBI with 131 in 2022 after leading the league in homers as a rookie.

It seems like New York is fine with him fitting in alongside Juan Soto in the lineup in the immediate future but isn't as willing to commit too many resources to him long term at this stage of his career.

On the first day of MLB's international signing period, the New York Mets agreed to deals with 15 players.

The Mets announced the deals on Wednesday, headlined by 17-year-old shortstop Elian Peña.

Per MLB.com, Peña is the No. 3 overall player in the international class with his hit tool being cited as his "calling card."

Dan Martin of the New York Post confirmed that Peña received a $5 million signing bonus from the Mets, who had a $6.3 million bonus pool.

The only players ranked ahead of Peña on the MLB.com list of international free agents are Rōki Sasaki and Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez.

Sasaki has a Jan. 23 deadline to agree to terms with an MLB club or go back to the Chiba Lotte Marines for the 2025 season. There's no indication he won't get a deal done, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays the three finalists.

De Jesus Gonzalez received a $3 million signing bonus from the San Francisco Giants, per Baseball America's Ben Badler.

The $5 million price tag for Peña could end up being the highest amount for any player in the international class after Sasaki. The Blue Jays and Padres both have $6.3 million in bonus money available, while the Dodgers have $5.1 million.

Teams are allowed to acquire up to 60 percent of their bonus pool money via trades, but all trades for bonus money have to be done in increments of $250,000.

While it's plausible teams won't use all of their bonus money on the first day, a majority of agreements and signings for the top-level international free agents will be done on Wednesday.

Along with having a plus hit tool, Peña is also regarded for having plus fielding ability as a shortstop. MLB.com cited him as having "the actions and feel" for short, along with smooth hands that "make it likely" he will play most of his time at the position.

Peña and the other members of the international free-agent class will join a Mets farm system led by right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat, outfielder Jett Williams and outfielder Drew Gilbert.