Sports
Pete Alonso’s free agency market heating up after Juan Soto’s massive Mets deal
DALLAS — Pete Alonso is meeting with teams as he assesses his market, following the removal of the top free agent bat from the board last weekend.
Scott Boras declined to directly address his client Juan Soto’s historic 15-year, $765 million contract — the deal was still pending the completion of a physical on Wednesday — but acknowledged at the Winter Meetings the domino effect of the All-Star outfielder’s decision.
“A lot of market locomotion regarding Pete, the Polar Bear Express is rolling,” Boras said. “Power in this game is such a commodity and you can see as we filter through the market the availability of power is something most teams recognize as a core lineup need.”
Alonso, 30, finished with a career-low for homers in a full season with 34 this year, but remains among the best pure power hitters on the market. Earlier this week, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said the team is interested in re-signing Alonso.
Finding common ground on a contract is the challenge.
“He is open to meeting with a lot of teams and obviously he has been doing so,” Boras said. “Certainly his experiences with the Mets were extraordinary both for them and him.”
It’s clear to Boras the Mets aren’t finished spending this offseason.
“[The Mets] have made it very clear to us they are not limited to signing one great player, but multiple great players,” Boras said. “They are going to be a steady and heavy commitment to acquiring the best players.”