Tag: defends

NEW YORK — Pete Alonso loomed over the New York Mets’ Amazin’ Day at Citi Field on Saturday without attending the event.

Just before Mets owner Steve Cohen answered a question about where things stand with Alonso, a homegrown star and free agent first baseman, during a panel discussion, a spirited crowd began chanting, “Let’s Sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete!”

Another chant then started, “Pete Al-on-so!”

Cohen then quipped, “Hold that for the end, OK?”

Cohen followed with a blunt assessment.

“We made a significant offer to Pete,” Cohen said. “He’s entitled to explore his market. That’s what he is doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough — this is worse.

“A lot of it is, we made a significant offer … I don’t like the structures that are being presented back to us. It’s highly asymmetric against us. And I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. There’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward. And as we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have. That’s where we are. And I am being brutally honest.

“I don’t like the negotiations. I don’t like what’s been presented to us. Listen, maybe that changes. Certainly, I’ll always stay flexible. If it stays this way, I think we are going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with the existing players that we have.”

The crowd applauded the answer.

GO DEEPER

Teams looking for free-agent bats find that their options are running low

Generally, from a star player’s perspective, a short-term deal can be seen as a concession. Therefore, for three years, there might be a preference from the player’s side to have only player opt-outs and no deferred money. In Boras’ four shorter-term deals after the 2023 season, none included deferred money. On the other hand, from the team’s perspective, they may prefer more optionality on their side.

“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,” agent Scott Boras said. “Nothing different. Just established fairness standards.”

Last week, the Mets made a counteroffer of three years to Alonso and Boras. It was rejected.

The Mets withdrew that specific offer after it was turned down, sources familiar with the matter said. However, it’s unknown if the Mets and Alonso have since re-engaged. So whether the door is open under similar or different parameters remains a question.

The crowd at Amazin’ Day started chanting “We want Pete!” as soon as Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza took the stand for a panel hosted by SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen. When the broadcaster began asking a question about Alonso, he referred to it as “the elephant in the room.” Chants of “Pe-te” then continued.

“We all love Pete and we’ve said that many times,” Stearns said, receiving cheers. “As we’ve gone through this process, we’ve continued to express that. And we also understand that this is a business and Pete, as a free agent, deserves the right and earned the privilege to see what’s out there.

“We also feel really good about the young players who are coming through our system who have the ability to play at the major-league level.”

That’s when fans met Stearns’ words with groans and boos.

“We saw that last year. And that’s not always the most popular opinion,” Stearns continued. “We saw that last year and we will this year again.”

Without Alonso on the roster, the Mets would most likely look internally for a solution at first base. Earlier this month, Mets officials told third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to start taking reps at first base with Alonso’s future and the position for the club uncertain.

Vientos broke out as the Mets’ third baseman last year, supplanting Baty at the position. Scouts said Vientos improved defensively but still has plenty of room to grow. In the minor leagues, he also played first base.

“I love playing third base, but right now my main focus is, ‘What can I do for us to get to the World Series and win a championship?’” Vientos said. “That’s what I want.”

At Amazin’ Day, Baty sported a new jersey number — No. 7. He previously wore No. 22, meaning he needed a new number as soon as the Mets signed Juan Soto. Baty landed on No. 7 because he grew up rooting for José Reyes and Joe Mauer.

Might a new position be next?

Baty recalled Stearns telling him a couple of weeks ago, “We don’t know what’s going to happen,” and to start taking reps at first base. The next day, a first baseman’s glove arrived in the mail.

Unlike Vientos, Baty is a neophyte at first base. He last played first base sparingly as a sophomore in high school. He’s so new at the position that he said he hadn’t even thought about holding runners on or taking throws from pitchers. He said working on his footwork around the bag is the most challenging part.

Baty sees any chance at first base as an opportunity to enhance his versatility as he tries to win a job in spring training. Third base is Baty’s main position, but he played some second base last year in Triple A following a midseason demotion. In previous seasons in the minor leagues, he also played some left field.

“It’s really fun, honestly,” Baty said. “I’ve always prided myself on being as athletic as I can be. And I think athleticism, you can show it off at any position whether it be first base, second base, third base, the outfield, whatever it is.”

Mendoza stopped short of anointing anyone the first baseman. If Vientos slid over to first base, Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, possibly among others, would comprise a competition for playing time at third base.

“We got options,” Mendoza said when asked if Vientos was the team’s first baseman as things stand. “We also got some depth there. We signed Jared Young, who has experience. Joey Meneses is a non-roster invite who has big-league experience. So we got options there. Guys are going to get the opportunity. We will see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Alonso lingers in free agency. Veteran and clubhouse leader Brandon Nimmo, also a Boras client, said he wasn’t too surprised that Alonso remains on the market because he expects his longtime teammate to take his time with the process until he saw figures to his liking.

“I would love to see Pete back with us, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions; that’s between Pete and our front office,” Nimmo said. “From what I understand, there have been a lot of talks between them. I’m still hopeful that we will sign him. But we’re really happy with what we’ve done this offseason. We’ve made our team a better team.”

Star shortstop Francisco Lindor added, “He should make the best decision for himself, and not feel like he’s rushed into a decision. And I am sure he will. Pete is smart. And he’s going to get the input from his wife and his family and then make the best decision for himself. As he should. He deserves it.”

In the meantime, less than three weeks remain until the Mets begin reporting to spring training.

Required reading

(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)