Port St. Lucy – Of all the numbers Pete Alonso can bring to the Mets lineup, 162 was the loudest for managers last season.
That means Alonso played all 162 games for the Mets in the regular season and maintained a constant presence midway through the lineup.
Alonso agreed to a two-year deal worth $54 million last week for his return to the Mets. His deal has not yet been announced by the club, but Alonso is due to receive the physical one on Tuesday – manager Carlos Mendoza admitted to his first spring training press conference told him that he was happy to see who would play one base every day.
“You don't have to worry about him. There are many days when he doesn't feel the best and he's still trying to post,” Mendoza said. “There was a day last year when he didn't feel like he would become a player for us, and he kept pushing it and 'I'm playing', so that's what I feel. ”
If Alonso did not return, the Mets were ready to move Mark Vientos into a base, opening up the possibility that Brett Batty or Louissangel Acknya could become the third starter.
Alonso offered a career-low .788 OPS last season, hampered by free agency after the Mets extended his qualifying offer to him.
That meant that non-Mets teams who signed him had to abandon the draft pick.
Alonso's new contract includes an opt-out after this season, allowing him to become a free agent again in the winter (he will not receive another qualifying offer).
The Alonso deal came into effect last week after team owner Steve Cohen flew to Tampa and met with the first baseman for about three hours.
Cohen and David Stearns, president of the baseball business, revealed to Alonso what he still wanted.
“Is there an entire offseason?” [Alonso] I can talk about whether he's back again and hopefully here more, but I know what he brings to the table,” Mendoza said.
“This is the guy who played all the games for us last year. His personality, that he wanted to be here and achieve his ultimate goal. He is our city and our fans I enjoy the layers. He brings a lot and I'm excited.”
