By Ryan “The Goose” Gosik
Pete Alonso of the New York Mets entered the 2024 season with plenty to prove coming off a “disappointing” 2023 campaign when he hit just .217 with 46 home runs and 118 runs batted in. It is hard to believe that is a down year, but the slugger needed to improve his defense and his batting average. Alonso is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2024 season. He and the Mets had discussions this past offseason about a long-term deal including a reported 7-year $158 million dollar offer from the team. Pete employed Scott Boras to be his agent in the offseason. A big mistake. Scott Boras, for years, was getting teams to overpay for his clients. It has seemed, in the last couple free-agency periods, the tide is turning, and teams are not just signing a check for whatever Boras tells them. Boras rarely, if ever, allows his clients to sign long-term deals before reaching free agency. Alonso did not sign the dotted line for the Mets in the offseason which shifts all the pressure to the player to perform so they can secure the big pay day. So far, Pete is hitting .223 with 9 home runs with 22 runs batted in. That will not cut it and he will be playing on a 1 or 2-year deal next season if he continues. The good news for Pete is it is still May, but his batting average has remained well below where it should be since he was hit in the wrist last season in Atlanta. Through the last handful of games, Pete has started to look like the player Mets fans know and love. He will need a prolonged stretch of power and smart hitting to re-enter the “big money” extension conversation. He will need to continue to improve his defense to prove he is worth that big pay day. He will not make $25 million dollars a year as a one-dimensional DH which he will eventually be, the clock keeps ticking on when that will be. More importantly, the team needs him to be better and a true leader in his slugger role. The team is getting contributions from Tyrone Taylor, Harrison Bader, Brandon Nimmo to a lesser degree, Francisco Lindor, and more. However, they are missing the key power numbers from their top power guy. If the Mets have any shot at the postseason and Alonso wants any chance at a large pay day, he will need to be a better, more consistent hitter because when is in a groove, it is a spectacle to watch, but when he’s not on, he’s colder than the other side of the pillow. The Mets and Scott Boras need Pete Alonso to be great. Check out my sports show: “Game Time with The Goose” every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on WTBQ AM 1110 FM 93.5 and on WGHT Radio with co-host Zach Kruk, Sports Director of WTBQ and WGHT!
