Scott Boras defends process after Mets owner Steve Cohen calls Pete Alonso talks ‘exhausting’

NEW YORK – Pete Alonso looms large at the New York Mets ‘Amazin’ Day at Citi Field on Saturday without him attending the event.

Before that Mets Owner Steve Cohen answered a question about where things stand with Alonso, a local star and Free First Rule agent, during a panel discussion, an enthusiastic crowd began chanting, “Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete!”

Then another chant began, “Noon House!”

Cohen then quipped, “Hold that last, okay?”

Cohen follows with a sharp assessment.

“We made an important offer to Pete,” Cohen said. He has the right to explore his market. This is what he does. Personally, this was an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough – this is worse.

“A lot of it is, we made an important offer… I don’t like the structures that are being presented to us. It’s too asymmetrical against us. And I feel very strongly about that. I wouldn’t say no. There’s always the possibility. But the reality is that we’re progressing. And as we continue to Bringing in players, the reality is it’s difficult to fit Pete in with the expensive group of players we already have and that’s where we are and I’m brutally honest.

“I don’t like negotiations. I don’t like what was offered to us. Listen, maybe it will change. Of course, I will always remain flexible. If it stays like this, I think we will have to get used to the fact that we may have to move on with the current players that we have.”

The crowd applauded the answer.

In general, from a star player’s point of view, a short-term deal could be considered a franchise. Therefore, over a three-year period, there may be a preference on the part of the player to only have a player opt-out and no deferred money. In Boras’ four shorter deals after the 2023 season, none included deferred money. On the other hand, from the team’s point of view, they may prefer more options on their side.

“Pete’s free agent contract structure is identical to the standards and practices of other clubs who sign similar playoff/star level players,” agent Scott Boras said. “Nothing different. Just standards of fairness.”

Last week, the Mets Make an antidote From three years to Alonso and Boras. It was rejected.

Sources familiar with the matter said the Mets withdrew that specific offer after it was rejected. However, it is unknown if the Mets have brought back Alonso since then. So, whether the door opens under similar or different parameters remains a question.

The crowd at Amazin’ Day started chanting “We want Pete!” Once Cohen, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza She took the stage for a panel hosted by SNY anchor Gary Cohen. When the announcer started asking a question about Alonso, he referred to him as “the elephant in the room.” The chants of “PE-TE” then continued.

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

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

That’s when fans met Stearns’ words with ears and ears.

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

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

Vientos broke out as the Mets’ third baseman last year, replacing Batty at the position. Scouts said Vientos has 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?'” Ventus said. “This is what I want.”

On Day Amazin’, Baty laced up his New Jersey number – No. 7. He previously wore No. 22, which means he needs a new number once the Mets sign Juan Soto. Bate landed at No. 7 because he rooted for Jose Reyes and Joe Mauer.

Could he be the next new position?

He recalled Patty Stearns telling him two weeks earlier, “We don’t know what’s going to happen,” and starting taking reps at first base. The next day, the first baseman’s glove arrived in the mail.

Unlike Vientos, Baty is a neophyte at first base. Another played first base sparingly as a high school freshman. He’s so new to the position that he said he hasn’t even thought about carrying runners or taking throws from pitchers. He said working his foot around the bag is the most challenging part.

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

“It’s really fun, honestly,” Patty said. “I’ve always prided myself on being as athletic as I can be. And I think athletics, you can show it anywhere whether it’s first base, second base, third base, outfield, whatever it is.”

Mendoza stopped greasing anyone’s first baseman. If Vientos slides to first base, Patty, Louisangel Akoya and Ronnie Mauricioperhaps among other things, will include a competition for playing time at third base.

“We’ve got options,” Mendoza said when asked if Vientos as the team’s first baseman where things stand. “We also got some depth there. We signed Jared YoungWho has experience. Joey Minnis He is an undrafted callback who has a lot of experience in the league. So we got options there. Men will get the chance. We’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Alonso remains in free agency. Veteran and club leader Brandon GrowthA Boras client also said he wasn’t too surprised that Alonso was still in the market because he expected his longtime colleague to take his time with the process until he saw numbers he liked.

“I would love to see Pete with us, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions; that’s between Pete and our front office.” From what I understand, there were a lot of conversations between them. I still hope we sign him. But we’re really happy with what we’ve done this season. We made our team a better team.”

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

Meanwhile, it remains less than three weeks until the Mets begin reporting to spring training.

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(Photo: Harry Cave/Getty Images)