It sure seems like the NY Mets can re-sign Pete Alonso for less than the extension he already rejected

The New York Mets may get themselves a bargain. At the outset of the offseason, Pete Alonso was seen as the top Soto consolation prize. It made sense that his market was nothing more than crickets chirping until a winner emerged from the Soto derby. However, the silence surrounding one of baseball's most prodigious power hitters is now deafening.

On another level, though, the silence makes sense. The five teams involved in the Soto chase were the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets. That group possesses some of the deepest pockets in the game. However, many already have answers at first base.

The Dodgers have Freddie Freeman, who while getting up there in age is still a fearsome force in the batters' box. The Blue Jays have a star in Vlad Guerrero Jr., at least for one more season. The Red Sox have a cost-controlled up-and-comer in the soon-to-be 25-year-old Triston Casas.

That leaves just the Yankees and Mets as the big-spending teams who could really use Alonso's services. Recent reports seem to suggest that the Yankees prefer Christian Walker over Alonso preferring to pursue the B-tier option over the more prolific power hitter. If you ask your Magic 8-Ball where Alonso will end up, the response will be all signs point to Queens.

The Mets could bring Alonso back for less than the seven-year $158 million contract he rejected

Back in 2023, Alonso rejected the Mets' offer of seven years and $158 million that would have kept the fan favorite in Flushing for life. While unfortunate for Pete, who is coming off a slightly down year where he slugged a career-low .459, his rejecting that extension may have been a blessing in disguise for the Mets.

Since the end of the PED era, the track record for power-hitting first basemen producing into their mid-to-late 30s is bleak. Alonso turned 30 on December 7th, and a seven-year deal would bring a lot of risk if his bat were to fall off in the latter years.

Barring a mystery team, the lack of suitors for his services could mean the Mets can welcome him home for less years and money than they originally offered. Even if the Mets kept the average annual value equal to the $22.6 million mark from the declined extension, but did so over fewer years, it would be a massive win for the franchise.

The softer-than-expected market for Alonso could end up with the Mets retaining his services at a nice discount which would be another big win for what has been an amazing offseason for David Stearns.