David Stearns’ analysis of the Mets might reveal important information about Pete Alonso

Mets’ Roster Flaws and Alonso’s Future

David Stearns has identified “run prevention” as a major weakness in the Mets roster, which has struggled over the past three and a half years, leading to missed playoff opportunities.

The president of baseball operations emphasized the necessity for teams to remain “open-minded” about their lineups in light of these shortcomings.

This offseason, the Mets’ key free agents are primarily power hitters whose defensive skills have seemingly deteriorated as the season dragged on.

It begs the question: have the Mets and their fans seen the last of their standout slugger, Pete Alonso?

Stearns expressed his enthusiasm for bringing back Alonso, citing concerns beyond just financial implications that relate to the team’s overall roster composition.

This season, out of the top 39 qualified first basemen, Alonso ranked 38th in fielding metrics, which doesn’t reflect well on his defensive capabilities.

A recent game in Miami highlighted his struggles—Alonso failed to make a play on a line drive, which could have affected the team’s chances in October.

At 31, it seems unlikely that Alonso will show much improvement defensively.

Despite this, his offensive contributions can’t be overlooked. Alonso has slugged 38 home runs and 41 doubles this year, boasting his best .871 OPS since his rookie season while appearing in all 162 games.

“Pete is a fantastic player,” Stearns remarked during a press conference, reiterating his desire to see Alonso return. “He had an impressive year. I mean, let’s see how the offseason unfolds.”

Last year, Alonso’s free agency was less than ideal; he entered February without the long-term contract he sought, ultimately returning to Queens under a one-year deal worth approximately $30 million, with player options fading in 2026.

This time, he’s returning after a stronger offensive season and is now unburdened by qualifying offers, making him an appealing target for other teams.

Still, the Mets will likely pursue him. Having become beloved in New York and setting a new franchise record for home runs this season, there’s a chance he may return primarily as a designated hitter.

Stearns acknowledged the complexities of roster construction, noting, “We’ll tackle this as we delve into the offseason.” However, frequently moving Alonso to a DH role could limit flexibility elsewhere on the team.

Additionally, there are concerns about Juan Soto, who has performed poorly as a right fielder this season and may need to return to a position that has become problematic defensively.