Hope for Pete Alonso in free agency is conveyed by a former Mets manager

After leading the New York Mets for the previous two seasons, Buck Showalter predicts that this year’s All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso will pledge his long-term future to the team.

Since the 2019 season, Alonso has only appeared for the Mets. Over the previous five seasons, he has hit more home runs (192) than any other MLB player.

Though teammates like utility player Jeff McNeil and outfielder Brandon Nimmo have openly advocated for the Mets to reach an agreement with the “Polar Bear,” the 29-year-old is still expected to become a free agent this fall and is unlikely to sign an extension with the team anytime soon.

Alonso was mentioned last summer as a potential factor in the Mets’ purported need for “a significant change in that clubhouse and their culture” following a season that turned out to be unsatisfactory for everyone involved.

During the conversation, Showalter complimented Alonso on his constant desire “to be on the field with his teammates” as compared to playing designated hitter.

Showalter described Alonso as someone who “wants to win a Gold Glove and works at playing first base as good as it can be played.” “He goes through a lot when playing. He updates his post. He’s a successful athlete.”

As players get ready to report for spring training, rumors that the Mets would make Alonso available to other teams this winter have subsided.

Showalter seems to think that once the games start to count in late March, the slugger won’t be sidetracked by any whispers circling his situation.

Showalter went on, “Pete has a strong mentality.” “However, let me tell you what he’s capable of: he can run into a baseball. Observing his collisions is entertaining. He simply exudes country strength and posts every day.”