PORT STREET LUCIE — Upon arriving at camp, Pete Alonso indicated he was open to negotiating a new contract with the Mets during spring training or even during the season.
However, Mets owner Steve Cohen has other ideas about how to use a first baseman with long-hitting power.
“We haven’t had any discussions. I think the best thing for Pete at this point is for him to have a great year without distractions,” Cohen said Sunday. “I think that’s what’s best for the baseball club. We know how to do this. We did it with Edwin. [Diaz]I did it with Brandon. [Nimmo] After the season. I’ll figure it out when I get there. ”
Nimmo became a free agent and received an eight-year contract worth $162 million from the Mets. Diaz signed a five-year contract worth $102 million.
Alonso will receive $20.5 million this season, his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Cohen was asked if he was concerned about the Mets’ relationship with SNY, as regional sports networks grapple with the realities of cord-cutting and some teams are seeing reduced TV revenue.
“I don’t see any problems for the next few years,” Cohen said. “We have a contract. What I’m saying is, the whole television ecosystem is clearly changing before our eyes, and it’s probably having a big impact on why teams are holding back on spending. I mean, I think we’re in a better position, but ultimately every team is going to have to deal with that issue.”
Coach Carlos Mendoza said Sean Reid-Foley was forced to stop pitching for a short period of time due to “arm fatigue” near his biceps, but he has resumed playing catch.
He started feeling better on Tuesday and is expected to return to action by the end of the week. The right-handed pitcher is being considered for the Mets’ bullpen.
“He’s got a lot of action,” Mendoza said. “I’m glad he said something.”
Mendoza said Jeff McNeil will be at bat on the minor league side and is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday. The second baseman was sidelined early in camp due to discomfort in his biceps.
