First baseman Pete Alonso is one of baseball’s major upcoming free agents and a member of the New York Mets team.
Unless the Mets decide to spend for the slugger, it’s almost a given that Alonso will have the opportunity to investigate free agency for the first time, with baseball’s top agent, Scott Boras, at his side.
When Alonso first arrived in Port St. Lucie, he gave a press conference where he discussed his contract status in detail. He declared himself amenable to rejoining the Mets. However, everyone involved might need to exercise patience.
Like he did a few years ago, outfielder Brandon Nimmo, one of his teammates, stated that Alonso has earned the right to investigate free agency.
In an interview with the New York Post, Nimmo discussed Alonso’s free agency as well as his own from a few years prior. It turns out that Boras is what the two share in common.
Nimmo had Boras on his side when he became a free agent. Also, Nimmo hired Boras prior to his walk year, just like Alonso did the previous year.
Nimmo took the tour and investigated free agency as well. He received other offers after listening to other teams. In the end, Nimmo was able to obtain his wish to remain in New York.
He and the Mets agreed to an eight-year, $162 million contract that includes a no-trade clause. It was all for the good, then.
Will it, however, be beneficial for Alonso and the Mets? That is still to be determined. But Nimmo sees Alonso’s benefiting from going through it, having been through the process himself and understanding what it means to receive that opportunity.
“From Pete’s perspective he’s earned the right to see what is out there,” Nimmo said. “He could still end up with the Mets, just like me, and I feel really good about that. But he’s earned that right to just go see what other people think of him as well.”
There will undoubtedly be several offers for Alonso. With three All-Star Game appearances, 192 career home runs, and a rookie of the year award under his belt, he is ready for his sixth Major League season.