Steve Cohen says Mets remain ‘engaged’ with Pete Alonso: ‘Hopefully, we’ll get there’

Speaking at Citi Field on Thursday after Juan Soto‘s introductory news conference, Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed optimism about the possibility of retaining Pete Alonso.

Cohen told reporters the Mets are “still engaged” with Alonso. “Hopefully, we’ll get there,” he said.

Alonso has been meeting with teams as he entertains where to play in 2025 and beyond, Mike Puma of The New York Post reported on Wednesday.

As things have heated up elsewhere, including the Mets signing Soto, the Yankees signing Max Fried, and the Red Sox trading for Garrett Crochet, Alonso’s market — at least when it comes to leaks about which teams might be interested — has been quiet.

It was reported earlier this week that he doesn’t appear to be on the Yankees’ radar.

Regarding other potential landing spots, there hasn’t been much.

Speaking on Monday at the Winter Meetings, president of baseball operations David Stearns said the Mets have the resources to retain Alonso if they so choose.

“We’d love to bring Pete back,” Stearns said. “Pete’s been a great Met, he’s had some enormous hits for us and we’ll see where that goes.”

Added Stearns: “I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that there’s going to be resources when we need them. There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think that they’re there to improve the team. And we’re gonna continue to pursue a wide variety of areas to continue to improve our team.”

Alonso, who will be entering his age-30 season in 2025, had a down year at the plate in 2024 but was still productive.

While playing all 162 regular season games, Alonso slashed .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs, 31 doubles, 88 RBI, and 91 runs scored.

In 13 postseason games as the Mets made a run to Game 6 of the NLCS, Alonso was a force, hitting .273/.431/.568 (.999 OPS) with four home runs, 10 RBI, and 10 runs scored over 58 plate appearances. That of course included his series-changing three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against Brewers closer Devin Williams.

After trading for Soto, it can be argued that the Mets need another big bat in their lineup. If not Alonso, possible fits include free agents Alex Bregman and Christian Walker.