Mets predicted to re-sign four-time All-Star to projected $206 million deal

Will the New York Mets leverage owner Steve Cohen's deep pockets to retain the face of their franchise?

Mets star first baseman Pete Alonso is slated to become a free agent for the first time in his career this winter. The Mets attempted to extend the four-time All-Star in June of last season when they offered him a seven-year, $158 million extension.

Alonso turned down the extension and has since switched his representation from Apex Baseball to Scott Boras. While predicting what each team would do with their top free agent, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter predicted that the Mets would re-sign Alonso.

"One way or another, expect him to find his way back to the Mets, whether he gets his asking price or ends up closer to that deal he initially turned down," wrote Reuter.

Alonso is projected to sign a seven-year, $206 million deal according to Spotrac . USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale expects the star first basemen to seek at least a $200 million deal.

A deal valued at $200 million would make Alonso the second highest-paid first baseman in baseball, behind just Bryce Harper -- who was a corner outfielder at the time of signing. He would have a contract valued higher than that of former National League Most Valuable Player Freddie Freeman.

"It's hard to see a world where he has that much more earning power than Freddie Freeman (6/$162 million) and Matt Olson (8/$168 million) given they both have more well-rounded games," wrote Reuter.

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