Pete Alonso’s future: “I’m not tone deaf,” says Steve Cohen of the Mets.

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Feb 24, 2024 #Pete Alonso, #Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen of the Mets asserts, “I’m not tone deaf” regarding Pete Alonso’s future.

Pete Alonso, the first baseman for the Mets, is getting close to the end of his contract, and owner Steve Cohen is not interested in losing the slugger to free agency.

Cohen expressed his desire to retain Alonso after this season in a sneak peek of the Mets’ upcoming podcast, “Meet at the Apple,” which launches on Saturday.

Cohen seems to be prepared to spend whatever it takes as well.

“He’s an important part of our team today and hopefully in the future,” Cohen said. “We know the fans feel strongly about him and I’m not tone-deaf. I totally understand the fans’ love of Pete.”

Cohen added: “I hope he hits 55 home runs and makes it so difficult on me in free agency. I would call that a great outcome.”

Alonso, 29, just finished his third season as an All-Star after swatting 46 home runs. However, he also batted.217, his lowest batting average over his five Mets seasons.

If the Mets don’t sign him before then, his strength and durability will make him a desirable player on the open market, driving up his price. Alonso has missed just 94 percent of the Mets’ games over the previous five seasons due to injury, and in 684 career games, he has hit 192 home runs.