Pete Alonso suggested he loves being a Met, and folks around the team say that much is clear. So before they consider trading him, the Mets would be wise to try to lock him up. Alonso is one of the game’s best sluggers, he’s homegrown, he sincerely wants to win and he’s a fast healer.
I’d suggest $175 million for five years. That’s more than Paul Goldschmidt ($125M, five years) or Freddie Freeman ($162M, six years), but the market has changed.
Alonso is a year from free agency, and if they can’t agree, the Mets should then consider trades for him. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggested talks with the Brewers were serious at the deadline, though a Mets person told us they weren’t close to dealing him.
Assuming Steve Cohen hires ex-Brewers honcho David Stearns, Stearns’ presence could enhance the chances of an Alonso trade there, if only because he knows their system and people.
Wander Franco’s chances of returning this year seem slim as MLB continues to investigate the delicate, difficult case involving an ugly allegation that Franco had a relationship with a minor while in the Rays’ farm system. The Rays are said to be cooperating with MLB and haven’t given any impression they seek to rush the investigation.
Stephen Strasburg pitched just 31 ¹/₃ innings after re-signing with the Nationals for $245M and is retiring due to continuing trouble with thoracic outlet syndrome, as The Washington Post first reported. Anthony Rendon signed the same $245M, seven-year deal within days after Strasburg, and he’s played 200 games in his four years as an Angel.
The Angels have no insurance on Rendon, and there’s no evidence the Nats had insurance on Strasburg. Insurance has become too prohibitive in most cases.