Former Mets player reignites the nightmare Pete Alonso free agent conspiracy theory

Who doesn’t like a good conspiracy theory where no one gets hurt? Well, this one only hurts a few people. Namely, it’s the free agent sluggers who’ll see their pocketbooks damaged if it’s true. Back in the middle of the 2021 season, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso suggested the baseballs changed based on the upcoming free agent class.

In a year where the free agent class is heavy on pitching, the baseballs favor the hitters. When hitters are at the top of the list of the best free agents, the exact opposite thing occurs. Changes to the baseballs have been a topic of discussion on about a yearly basis since the 2019 juiced balls that saw a huge influx of power all around the league. This season, with offense down, former Mets outfielder Tommy Pham is making a similar claim.

This is the nightmare conspiracy come to life for Mets free agent Pete Alonso

This winter won’t feature a huge number of high-profile pitchers. There’s Corbin Burnes. There’s Max Fried. Beyond them, there are some talented pitchers but many with some injury concerns. This will be an offseason headlined by Juan Soto, Alex Bregman, and even Alonso in a down year.

As of Pham's comments yesterday, home runs were down from 1.21 last year to 1.12 on average per game. Batting averages have dropped 5 points. OBPs are down 8. Slugging percentage is fighting to stay above .400.

The offensive output this year is similar to what it was in 2022 with a little more power. However, runs are up but that won’t do much to convince players like Pham that the baseballs haven’t changed. We’re back closer to where things were at the beginning of the 2010s.

Have baseballs changed or is it the game?

One might think that the average number of runs, home runs, etc. per game might stay the same. But consider other factors. Weather patterns. The usage of starting pitchers and relievers. Better technology. Much has been made about the Mets pitching lab. How will hitters counter?

Maybe the baseballs are different this year or from city-to-city. His claim of them being different in Chicago is even more specific than Alonso’s from three years ago.

Numbers are down across the league offensively this year and yet not at any historic rate. Perhaps it’s not the baseballs themselves but the care of them at certain ballparks that he has noticed. If Chicago White Sox hitters want an excuse for this season, their ex-teammate gave them on