The Mets might hit paydirt on a long-term extension for star infielder

The conversation around the Mets and Pete Alonso has shifted in a way few people expected even a month ago. What once felt like a tense standoff has started to resemble two sides moving toward a real commitment, and that alone changes the tone of the entire offseason in Queens.

A season that forces the Mets to reevaluate their stance

It’s hard to look at Alonso’s 2025 production and think the Mets could ever justify letting him walk. He played all 162 games and delivered a .272 average, a .347 on-base mark, and a .524 slugging percentage. Those numbers speak loudly on their own, but the power output pushes everything into another tier.

Alonso finished the season with 38 home runs, 126 runs driven in, and a 141 wRC+. That level of impact is almost impossible to replace, and the Mets know it. Even if his defense at first base remains below average, the equation is simple: stick the glove somewhere and let the bat carry the weight.

That’s what great sluggers do. They tilt games.

The durability factor the Mets can’t ignore

Alonso doesn’t just hit. He shows up. Year after year, he proves to be one of the most durable position players in the league, and that matters when you anchor the middle of the lineup. For a team trying to build a sustainable contender, having a player who posts every day is its own form of value.

It’s also part of why the Mets are beginning to feel better about the long-term picture. They know exactly what he is. They know the floor is high. They know the fan base lives and dies with his big moments. These are the types of players you learn to live with defensively because the offensive output is too good to sacrifice.

Negotiations finally feel different

For the first time in a while, the internal tone is shifting in a positive direction. As Jon Heyman of the New York Post put it, “The Mets have opened talks with Pete Alonso, and at least on the surface there seems to be a better feeling around those talks this year than last.”

That matters because last year’s conversations never felt warm. They were mechanical. Distant. More like two sides waiting for the other to blink. This year’s vibe is noticeably different, and that alone creates a sense of optimism that wasn’t there before.

When a franchise star wants to stay, and the team wants him back, the path is usually straightforward unless someone overplays their hand. The Mets appear to understand that now.

Are the Mets finally ready to commit?

This is where the analysis gets real. Alonso is still in his prime. He’s beloved by fans. He’s proven he can carry a lineup for months at a time. He’s one of the few true middle-of-the-order forces who actually embraces being a Met, something the organization has struggled to find consistently.

You don’t overthink players like that. You keep them if you can, even if it means accepting some defensive shortcomings for the sake of elite run production.

If the Mets want stability, credibility, and star power through the next competitive window, the blueprint starts with re-signing Alonso. The latest movement suggests they finally understand that, and that alone should give fans a hint of confidence as the offseason moves forward.