ARLINGTON, Texas — Judging by the Mets’ moves — they’ve risen from last place, avoided a sale and are in position to make the playoffs at the All-Star break — it’s looking more likely that Pete Alonso will remain in Queens at least until the end of the season.
The development was a welcome one for Alonso.
The Mets first baseman has been adamant this season and the past few seasons that he enjoys being a part of the Mets.
If the Mets, who were 11 games under .500 through June 2, had continued to lose, the soon-to-be free agent could have been one of the hottest topics on the trade market.
A strong run to join the championship fray could mean the Polar Bears finish the season with the only team they know.
“I’m very happy to be a part of the Mets and very proud to be a part of the Mets,” Alonso said Monday at Globe Life Field before taking part in the Home Run Derby. “It’s just awesome.”
“I want to stay. I don’t want to be traded. I love it here. This is home.”
The Mets have been like family to Alonso since he was a second-round draft pick in 2016, but since making his debut in 2019, the team has become home for him.
Alonso had a strong minor league career, earned himself a spot on the 2019 opening day roster and has since led the majors in home runs (211).
“I love being in Queens. It’s a really special place,” said the 29-year-old. “Some of my best memories, not just in baseball but in my life, have been spent in New York City. I’ve been here for nine, 10 years now. The way the fans and the organization have welcomed me and embraced me from day one has been the best experience I’ve had.”
“I grew up in New York. I spent most of my 20s there.”
The Mets (49-46) had won 25 of 36 games going into the break, surging up the crowded wild-card standings and giving the team hope of playing in October.
The return of Francisco Alvarez, the promotions of Mark Vientos and Jose Iglesias to the minor leagues, and a strong, deep offensive line could have helped turn this season around.
But Alonso acknowledged that the next few weeks before the July 30 deadline would be “crucial”.
If the team, which has had a lot of ups and downs, continues to perform poorly, its shares could be sold.
And the selling could start with Alonso, an aging slugger whose long-term future is unclear with other prospects on the market.
“We had to earn the right to be buyers,” Alonso said. “We want to come back and be absolutely successful. We have a really good team, the atmosphere is great. It’s been a great team effort from where we were to where we are now, so it’s a really good story overall.”
— Additional reporting by Jon Heyman
