The New York Mets are off to a strong start this season, led by standout performances from players like Pete Alonso, despite Juan Soto's slow beginning. Alonso, a four-time All-Star, is excelling with impressive stats, which has validated the Mets' decision to reunite with him on a favorable two-year contract. However, team owner Steve Cohen has announced that Alonso will opt out of his contract to explore free agency at the end of the year, with Cohen expressing support for Alonso's decision to test the market. Despite this, Cohen remains optimistic about potentially re-signing Alonso, emphasizing their mutual satisfaction with the current arrangement. The Mets' performance and potential championship win this season could influence future negotiations with Alonso significantly.

The New York Mets are building on their successful 2024 season by achieving the best record in baseball this year, despite their superstar Juan Soto having a slow start.

Pete Alonso, a homegrown talent and four-time All-Star, is leading the National League with a .337/.453/.635 slash line, six home runs, 27 RBIs, and a 1.088 OPS.

Alonso's current contract is a two-year deal that pays him $30 million this season, with a $24 million player option for 2026, making it a bargain for the Mets given his performance.

Mets owner Steve Cohen has announced that Alonso will opt out of his contract at the end of the year to explore free agency, a decision Cohen supports while remaining open to re-signing him.

Cohen acknowledges the uncertainty of future negotiations but emphasizes that both the team and Alonso are content with their current relationship, which provides a good foundation for any talks.

A potential championship win this season could enhance the Mets' negotiating position with Alonso, as success on the field may influence his decision to return.

Peter Chawaga, a veteran journalist, has extensive experience covering Major League Baseball, providing insights into player contracts, rankings, and industry trends.

The New York Mets are building on their Cinderella run to the National League Championship Series in 2024 by sprinting out to baseball’s best record this season.

The team is being buoyed by a wide range of contributors even as their biggest superstar, Juan Soto, is off to a relatively slow start. But nobody has performed better than homegrown slugger Pete Alonso.

The four-time All-Star is slashing .337/.453/.635 with six homers, 27 RBI and a 1.088 OPS that leads all of the National League. His start is making the Mets front office look great as well, as it reunited with him on a bargain two-year contract that pays him just $30 million this year with a $24 million player option for 2026.

And while the Mets might be tempted to negotiate a new deal with Alonso amid his hot start or hope that he returns for the second year of that contract, team owner Steve Cohen recently announced that Alonso will certainly opt out and seek a new contract as a free agent at the end of the year.

During Monday’s episode of the New York Post’s “The Show” podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Cohen ruled out a return on the second year of Alonso’s deal.

“Cohen told Sherman and Heyman that Alonso would explore the market at the end of the year, which he said he was ‘supportive of,’ and that the ballclub would ‘see where it goes,’” per the Post’s Christian Arnold. 

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While Cohen declared that Alonso will re-test the market in the coming winter, he added that the Mets could look to re-sign him after he opts out of his current deal.

“He’s a great Met, and I said this last year, if we can work it out, but he’s going to explore his market, and you know that’s his right,” Cohen added. “It’s hard to know how those things work out. I know we’re happy with him. I believe he’s happy to be a Met and that’s a good place to start in any future discussions.”

As the Mets look to build on a hot start all the way to the World Series, winning a championship could boost potential negotiations even further. 

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