Yankees Target Pete Alonso in Battle for New York Supremacy
As the season draws to a close, New York Mets’ first baseman Pete Alonso is positioning himself for a lucrative opportunity in free agency. With a standout performance this year, Alonso is set to become one of the most coveted players on the market this winter.
After testing the waters last offseason, Alonso signed a two-year, $54 million contract with the Mets, but doubts surrounded his ability to secure a long-term deal at that time. Fast forward to today, and the “Polar Bear” has silenced the skeptics with an impressive .271/.349/.524 batting line, complemented by 33 home runs and 113 runs batted in. With such a strong showing, he is all but guaranteed to opt out of the final year of his contract and explore free agency for the second consecutive year.
Yankees Show Interest
The prospect of the Yankees pursuing Alonso is heating up, as noted by Jon Heyman during a recent livestream with Bleacher Report. “Potential other teams [aside from the Mets for Alonso], I mean, you’ve got to say the Yankees, right? I do think the Yankees are a potential [team] for Alonso,” he remarked, highlighting connections between Alonso and the Yankees’ ownership, particularly Hal Steinbrenner’s ties to Florida.
Heyman also pointed out that Alonso’s availability could be particularly appealing with the Yankees looking at their roster, especially with veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt entering the final year of his contract. Last offseason, the Yankees had shown interest in Alonso but ultimately signed Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12.5 million deal instead.
Mets Still in the Mix
While the Yankees may emerge as a strong contender for Alonso, Heyman suggests that the Mets still present the best fit for the slugger. Two key factors play into this assessment: the unwavering support of the Mets’ fan base and Alonso’s role as a complementary player behind generational superstar Juan Soto. The connection to his current team and the love from fans would be challenging for Alonso to relinquish.
As Alonso prepares for what promises to be an exciting offseason, the stakes are high not just for him but for both the Mets and Yankees as they vie for dominance in the New York baseball scene. The battle for Alonso will undoubtedly add another layer of intrigue to the already fierce rivalry between these two storied franchises.
