Mets predicted to offer ‘close to’ $200 million for four-time All-Star

The New York Mets are holding onto the final National League Wild Card spot thanks to a surprising second-half surge.

And as the team continues to defy expectations in the wins column, the front office has to be thinking about how to build on this success for next year and beyond.

Their roster building for the future might start with homegrown slugger Pete Alonso, who is poised to hit free agency as the franchise’s single-season record holder for total bases, RBI, and home runs. Naming the Mets as one of the most active teams in free agency for this coming offseason, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicted that the team will make a significant offer to bring Alonso back.

“They’re going to try to re-sign Pete Alonso for what could be close to $200M,” per Miller.

At 29 years old, Alonso is in line for a lucrative long-term contract that could be the final deal of his career. He has a .249/.339/.517 slash line across six major-league seasons, with four All-Star nods and three years of earning MVP Award votes.

Several teams are likely interested in Alonso’s services. But it seems likely that an offer in the $200 million range will get a deal done, particularly for a return to the only team he’s ever played for. Spotrac projects Alonso’s market value at $206.8 million over seven years and Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that the slugger will be seeking “at least” $200 million.

Under owner Steve Cohen, the Mets have been a perennial top spender among all Major League Baseball teams. That is poised to continue next season. But a major payday for Alonso might limit the team’s ability to spend elsewhere.

The Mets are widely projected to compete with the New York Yankees to sign Juan Soto, who is in line for $500 million or more. And they’re likely to seek a frontline starter as well, which will demand yet another major salary.

“They’re also going to make it a point to bring in at least one quality starting pitcher, considering they’re about to lose all three of their team leaders in innings pitched this season,” Miller added. “If it’s Corbin Burnes, that might be another $200M price tag.”

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