Another Mets player puts pressure on front office to sign Pete Alonso

First baseman Pete Alonso should return to the orange and blue for the upcoming season, according to Mets left-hander Sean Manaea.

In a Zoom call with reporters on Monday, he made this statement while also talking about the team’s present situation, his motivation for rejoining the Mets, and the things he has been working on during the summer.

Manaea stated, “I would absolutely love to have Pete back on the Mets and be our first baseman, but I’m always going to support him regardless of what happens.” I hope we can finish that. In the end, though, I will be pleased for him regardless of what occurs.

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A video of Manaea and Alonso working out together in Tampa earlier in the day went viral. During his conversation, Manaea disclosed that the two exercise together daily.

Although Alonso is still the best power hitter on the market, his market has not grown as he had planned because he is a first baseman who is not very valuable outside of his bat. Most recently, the Mets received an exclusive offer from the four-time All-Star’s club that was reportedly for three years and had a high average annual value.

Will Sammon of The Athletic forecast on Monday that Alonso would agree to a three-year, $93.3 million contract that would have deferrals that would reduce the deal’s current value.

With this, he would surpass Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman ($27 million AAV) and Blue Jays hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($28.5 million AAV) as the highest-paid first baseman in the game by AAV today. In addition, it will surpass future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera’s $31 million AAV contract from 2023 to become the highest first base contract in the history of the game.

In an interview with reporters last week, Mets great David Wright also stated that he would want to see Alonso return to New York. Wright gave him some guidance as well.

“When you’re drafted, developed, and playing for the team that gave you your first opportunity, it’s a different feeling,” Wright said. Wearing the jersey every night makes you feel a little more, perhaps a lot more, proud. I hope he keeps that in mind and doesn’t forget it.

Last season, Manaea enjoyed a comeback season for the Mets. He pitched 181 2/3 innings, went 12-6, had a 3.47 ERA, and struck out 184 batters in 32 starts. When Braves star Chris Sale helped him adopt a more horizontal arm slot, his season really took off.

The left-hander reached a new level of performance during an 11-game period in August and September with his new appearance, recording a 2.63 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts. He received his first-ever Cy Young Award vote for this.

As a result, Manaea was re-signed by the Mets to a three-year, $75 million deal.

You can contact Manny G. Mez at [email protected].