Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer Oct 21, 2024, 3:33am ET
CloseJesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.
LOS ANGELES — The Mets were filled with emotion after New York’s Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS on Sunday night.
The hug among his teammates came after a gritty postseason run that finished two wins shy of the World Series. But emotions were also high because the team has about a dozen pending free agents, making it almost certain that the Mets won’t bring back the same roster next season.
All of the top starting pitchers will enter free agency, as will first baseman Pete Alonso. His six-year career in New York included 226 home runs in the regular season—third in franchise history—as well as several long balls in the postseason that cemented his popularity with Mets fans.
Alonso fought back his emotions in the team discussion while being asked about his future.
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“I’m really proud of what I was able to achieve here,” Alonso said after the 10-5 loss. “I put it out there every day. I did my best every day… I’m just thinking about the group. We’ll get through this.” [free agent] The bridge when we get there. I love this team. I love New York. I love playing in Queens. This group is truly special.”
Alonso played in every game this season, hitting 34 home runs, a career low, though his 31 doubles were a career high. Overall, his 123 OPS-plus was exactly the same as it was in 2023, when he hit 46 home runs. He’s willing to take a deal worth $100 million or more, assuming he wants a long-term contract.
“I didn’t think about anything to that extent,” Alonso said. “I was kind of bummed that the season was over. Once you start that postseason run, you don’t really think it’s ever going to end.”
That sentiment echoed throughout the locker room as players bid each other farewell for the winter — and perhaps longer. The trio of Mets players who led the team to the finish — Jose Quintana, Luis Severino and Sean Mana — have expressed their desire to return but know the feeling must be mutual and that change is part of the game.
“I have no control over that now,” Manea said through teary eyes. “I love my time here. I love New York. I love the organization.”
Quintana (35 years old) added: “I am healthy. I feel good. I want to try again to win the championship. This was the closest I have come in my career. One day, I will get the opportunity.” “.
Players believe the Mets will never be a one-man team, not with owner Steve Cohen publicly expressing his desire to win a championship. Cohen met with Alonso and Mania’s agent, Scott Boras, before Game 6, but the playoffs are not the time to get deals done. This starts in November.
“Pete has done a lot for this organization,” Brandon Nimmo said of Pete Alonso. “He means a lot to the fan base and this team. I think he capped off the month last October for sure. He came up in clutch situations. He was the old Pete’s Polar Bear.” Harry Cave/Getty Images
Boras also represents 37-year-old Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who was asked what his future holds after signing with New York in late March.
“Pickleball,” he joked.
He also expressed his hope that he would not be finished with baseball. This past holiday season was an interesting one as Martinez waited all winter for the phone to ring. It never happened.
“If it happens, it happens,” Martinez said. “If it doesn’t happen, he won’t come back. I won’t come back because I’m begging to come back… I love hitting baseballs.”
Martinez played sparingly in the postseason but hit 16 home runs in 120 games for the Mets in the regular season. He knows the task Mets manager David Stearns faces, considering nearly half the team will hit the open market next month.
“Obviously they have some big decisions to make with the free agents,” Martinez said. “We have to fill in the gaps that we will miss next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do that and the team comes back here.” [the NLCS] Next year.”
The biggest decision comes with the first baseman, who has endeared himself to the team and the city over his nine years with the organization. Francisco Lindor may be the face of the team, but Alonso is the heart and soul.
“Pete has done so much for this organization since the beginning,” teammate Brandon Nimmo said. “He means a lot to the fan base and this team. I think he capped off the month last October for sure. He came up in clutch situations. He was the old Pete’s Polar Bear.”
“We would love to see him back here.”