With the news surfacing late Thursday night into Friday morning with the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Japanese star pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a lucrative 12-year, $325 million contract, it for sure left many people shocked. Especially after the Dodgers already signed two-way Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract. The New York Mets and Steve Cohen did everything they could to land Yamamoto even flying out to Japan not just meet him. but to treat him to dinner.
With Yamamoto being the coveted free agent star that the Mets so desperately wanted, they now have to go with plan 'B' with their roster having some many holes at starting pitching, in the outfield and at the designated hitter position. Despite missing out on Yamamoto, there is still time for the Mets to make this offseason a successful one.
1. Signing Pete Alonso long-term
This has to be a no-brainer for the Mets to make this move. Alonso is in the final year of time control and will be a free agent for the first time in his career at the end of 2024. Not with Yamamoto no longer on the free agent market, Cohen has the money to make this move. As a matter of fact, this move has to happen if the Mets want to get back into contention.
Alonso is entering his sixth season for the 2024 campaign and has already made a big name for himself. The Polar Bear as he's affectionally called has hit 40 home runs or more three in his six seasons as a big leaguer including setting a single-season Rookie record hitting 53 homers in 2019. Alonso also sits fourth all-time in the Mets for home runs only behind, Daryl Strawberry, David Wright, and Mike Piazza. The Mets can't afford to let Alonso leave in free agency or trade him at the deadline this season. Alonso is a generational talent, the fans love him and he wants to stay in Flushing Queens. This could satisfy Mets fans this offseason if New York can lock him up.