Centerfield

I just saw a clip of a panel at Amazin Day hosted by Gary Cohen. It had Stearns and Cohen sitting at it. The crowd was chanting “We want Pete”.

The Blue Jays rumors were flying yesterday. Tim Healey from Newsday and Andy Martino both reporting various degrees of progress. Martino going as far as to say talks were on the "10 yard line". That pretty much got shut down with the Jays' beat writers Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith shutting it down by saying there was no momentum and nothing was close. Today, Pat Ragazzo from SI says that Pete Alonso met with the LA Angels. I wonder if the Angels rumor suggests that the Blue Jays leak is a dead end. Again, I go back to the real money breakdown of the Santander contract. Will Toronto really offer significantly more money to Alonso than they did to Santander?

It's tough to know what Toronto will do. It's said they are desperate, and desperate teams do crazy things. And that's why they remain a threat. But let's assume for the sake of discussion that they are logical. They just gave Anthony Santander a 5 year, $92.5M deal. Per Ken Rosenthal, that deal has $61.75M deferred! For CBT purposes, the union views the present value at $68.6M ($13.7 AAV). One would think that the Blue Jays would not be willing to spend more than this on Pete, given that Santander is a switch hitter, coming off a better season, plays OF (better positional fit), and is about 20 lbs lighter. And, of course, discussions with Pete are taking place after the Jays have already secured Santander. So logically, Toronto would not sign a player, then offer a similar, but lesser, player significantly more money. $68.6M is obviously less than the 3 year/$70M offer the Mets were rumored to extend to Pete (no deferrals in the Mets offer). Also, Toronto has higher taxes. So Pete would take a hit there as well. So as of now, even if Toronto extended the same offer to Pete as they extended to Santander, Pete would have to take less money to leave the Mets. So really, there are only a few scenarios where Pete leaves to play for the Blue Jays. Scenario One: This is what I led with. Toronto does something crazy and offers Pete a significantly better deal than they just gave Santander. Five year deal, no deferrals, higher AAV. If that happens, then Pete is gone. Scenario Two: The Blue Jays offer Pete a similar deal to Santander (with deferrals). But Pete/Boras accept it because it's five years and has a higher gross number. It allows Pete/Boras to save face and say that Pete beat the Mets offer both in length, and in total money, even if it means less in actual money to Pete. I don't really see Scenario Two as realistic. So basically, it all comes down to whether Toronto goes a little crazy or not. Fingers crossed.

Alonso signs with Jays. "SEE I WAS RIGHT" Alonso doesn't sign with the Jays. "SEE I WAS RIGHT"

He didn’t offer much. Said he’d love to have Pete back. Hopes it will happen. Someone said “so we’re not out on Alonso?” He smiled. Kinda chuckled? Said don’t believe everything you hear in the media.

I didn't say there was a fuss over it. I said the information was leaked. Yes, parties can divulge information. If they do it publicly, it's a disclosure. If they do it anonymously it's a leak. I'm of the belief that parties leak information with intent. When I wrote about the "fuss" over these disclosures, I was writing about you. I thought you were making a big fuss over these disclosures. Which is fine. That's what makes these boards interesting. But to me, these leaks or disclosures or whatever are one big nothing-burger as far as I'm concerned. I don't think there was any strategy or chess game being played by the release of that info. I think that it's somebody privy to the negotiations deciding to disclose some of that info to the press anonymously and nothing more. I never thought the disclosures were going to cause the Mets to crumble or fold or to weaken their bargaining position. And more importantly, I never thought that the Boras/Alonso camp ever thought that, either. It's just info being released. Any reasonably sentient fan knows that without knowing Boras's demands, the info is practically useless anyway. Me personally, I don't think these talks are dead and there's a very good chance that Alonso and the Mets finally come to an agreement. I say this because Alonso wants very badly to remain a Met and everybody knows this. Alonso has made no attempt to hide this. If the Mets offer was unreasonably low, some other team would've topped it by now. Yeah, I was trying to communicate (clearly not effectively) that I thought all the disclosed info was a bunch of nothing. Basically that neither side had budged. As you put it, I agree it's all a big nothing burger. I disagree that the Boras camp released it with no intent. I think Boras figured let's roll the dice and see what happens. There are plenty of owners that would cave to public pressure. And as recently as a year ago, Cohen might have been one of them. I also think Boras wanted to signal to other teams that the Mets were out. If there is a perception that whatever bid is offered would just be taken back to the Mets, I think Boras was trying to get out in front of that. I'm also in the camp that the Mets and Alonso eventually come to an agreement. My only real concern is that the Blue Jays do something crazy and the Mets decline to match.

A guy who deserves to have his vote rescinded.

From my viewpoint, there are three scenarios. Scenario A The Mets pulled the walkaway move. They pulled their offer to Pete. But, the reporting is different, and couches a reunion as "less likely", without mentioning that the offer was pulled. If this happened, I think the reporting would be "Mets out on Alonso". Scenario B The Mets did not pull the walkaway move. But they wanted to create some heat, so Stearns calls Sherman, Heyman and Martino and says "Hey, I want you to report that we are discouraged with negotiations and that we are pivoting to plan B". At the same time, they leave the offer on the table. Could this be what happened? Possibly. But how much credibility do the Mets have if these negative reports are out there, while the offer sits waiting to be accepted? Scenario C The Mets have had their three year $70M offer on the table for some time. Pete and Boras were to bring back any competitor's offer but have been unable to secure any. Without a need to bid against himself, Stearns stands pat. Boras leaks to the press that Pete is willing to accept a short term deal, but only with the Mets. Because Pete loves the Mets. Boras leaks to the press that the Mets and Pete remain far apart on AAV, even after the concession by Pete to take three years. Suggests "Steve Cohen may have to get involved" Boras leaks to the press that the Mets have imposed a deadline. Boras leaks the terms of the Mets offer to the press. 3 years, $70M. An offer that is $20M less than the $90M rumor floated around previously. Boras leaks that the Mets have pivoted away from Pete. And that a deal is now less likely. During that time, David Stearns stands pat with his offer. For my money. I think it's C. And I think Stearns is confident that eventually all this bluster will blow over, and eventually Pete will have to sign the offer that's on the table. Unless, as I mentioned before, Toronto does something nutty and offers Pete terms similar to Santander. And if they do that, I guess Pete might be gone.

Exactly this. Walking away is an effective tactic. But it only needs to be communicated to the adverse party. There's very little advantage, if any, to going public with the move. And if the Mets wanted to walk away, they need to actually walk away. That means pull the offer and pivot. If the offer remains on the table, no one believes anyone has pivoted. Regardless of whatever has been disclosed. So let's start there. Did the Mets pull the walk away move? No. Not if you believe the reports from last week. Andy Martino: Joel Sherman: Jon Heyman: These reporters came out with nearly identical takes, all at the same time. None of them mention that the Mets pulled their offer. Only that they are discouraged, or have started their pivot. If anything, all of them imply that the Mets offer remains on the table. So, what do we think happened? Did the Mets leave their offer on the table and publicly disclose that they are pivoting? What's the sense in that. You have no credibility so long as the offer remains. The only thing that makes sense is that the Mets have done nothing but leave that offer on the table, and that Boras is feeding this narrative to the press. And when you look at the info that's come out, in the order it's come out, and who has reported it, it's very clear who's leaking this info.

I mean logically. Why would the Mets publicly state they are pivoting to other options. That's the dumbest thing they can do. The effects are: 1. Other teams are encouraged to bid on Alonso, thinking that maybe the Mets are out and won't match it. 2. Public outcry from angry Mets fans 3. Negatively impacts the Mets leverage with plan B options None of these things may end up making a difference. But ultimately, only Boras/Pete would want this kind of buzz out there.

I didn't say there was a fuss over it. I said the information was leaked. Yes, parties can divulge information. If they do it publicly, it's a disclosure. If they do it anonymously it's a leak. I'm of the belief that parties leak information with intent. Which side is more inclined to leak this "info" to Martino. Stearns? Not a chance. The Mets front office doesn't leak info. Also, they have nothing to gain by publicly stating that they are moving on from Alonso. If they wanted to move on, they'd simply tell Boras and pull their offer. They don't need the public to know. They certainly don't want their plan B options thinking that they now have the upper hand. It makes no sense for the Mets to release this info. Boras on the other hand, is hoping to create a public frenzy. The calls into WFAN like you describe. Outrage on twitter. He's hoping that it will spur Steve Cohen to get involved (hence the Jim Duquette line "Steve Cohen may have to get involved"). Would David Stearns leak that to the press? "Hey Jim, go on SNY and say 'Steve Cohen may have to get involved'." We all know what's happening. We all know where Duquette is getting his info. And no, I said before that I don't think it will work. I think Cohen hired Stearns to stop himself from paying more than market value. And I don't see any of this having an effect on Stearns. But I think Boras is pulling out all the stops to get as much money from the Mets as he can. In the end, I think (or maybe I just want to believe) that Alonso told Boras he wants to go back to the Mets, and that Boras job was to get as much money as possible. I think Boras is doing whatever he can in a tough situation. I agree with all of this. Which is why ultimately I think he will come back. My only real concern is Toronto. I think they can be a wild card in this. They're so desperate to get players and spend money I can see them beating the Mets offer. If they do, the Mets would have to match or else Pete is gone. I agree too. But let's say, for argument's sake, that the Blue Jays offer Alonso a contract similar to what they offered Santander. 5 years. $90-$100M. Does Stearns match? I don't think he does. And then if you're Pete, do you take a 3 year deal for $70M, or a five year deal for $95M? I don't know.

What leaks? "Pete Alonso is willing to compromise with a three year deal! And despite lots of interest, it's only open to the Mets! What a guy!" "Can you believe it? Even after Pete came to the Mets with a three year deal structure, they still refuse to compromise on money. Steve Cohen is gonna have to get involved." "Did you guys hear that the Mets are forcing a deadline on Pete's negotiations?" "WTF. Check out this low-ball offer the Mets made. After everything Pete has done." "The Mets have moved on from Alonso. Their plan B is Brett Baty. Get ready for life without Pete Mets fans."

Boras is starting to lose his cool. Yesterday at the Corbin Burnes conference, he complained openly that MLB teams are making money but not spending. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/scott-boras-shames-mlb-teams-for-sitting-out-free-agency-theyre-making-more-but-theyre-not-spending/ He's clearly frustrated at the Bregman and Alonso situations and the inability to create a market. Meanwhile, his mouthpiece Jon Heyman has an article that the slow moving free agency market is frustrating players: https://nypost.com/2025/01/16/sports/slow-moving-mlb-free-agency-frustrating-players-insane/ This peak into Boras' mindset starts to give you the context for the leaks they've issued this past week.

It's been bad for me as well.

I think it's helpful to consider why we are getting these leaks. First, Pete's market. There are no other offers that are close. If there were, they would have been leveraged against the Mets offer. There's been nothing. We can reasonably conclude there is nothing currently. So in the absence of actual competitors, Boras is reverting to the only option he has next. Public pressure. He leaked to Duquette last week that Pete was willing to come back on a three year deal, but intentionally did not mention the AAV demand. This riled up the Mets fanbase that a deal was close. The overwhelming sentiment was that for a short term deal, the Mets should "just get it done". Then came the news that they were still far apart in AAV. Duquette, in exchange for the news he was given, was asked to implore Cohen to get involved. Boras knows that Stearns won't budge unless he's made to budge. Since then, Boras has leaked additional info to try to create more public pressure. The Mets have given Alonso a deadline. The Mets made a low-ball offer. And now, he's leaking that the Mets have moved on. Boras is trying to demonstrate to the Mets that losing Alonso will create outrage, panic, and will be terrible for the Mets. I don't think it will work. I picture Stearns just sitting there. Unphased, just sitting on his offer. I think Stearns believes that even if another team comes into the picture and offers more, that the Mets will get the right to match before Pete leaves. And so he sits and waits, knowing he's the highest bidder. And for that reason, I still remain optimistic that the two sides will reach a deal. I don't really think anything has changed simply because Boras decided to make the discussions public. If anything, I think it suggests he's running out of options. I will say this though. Stearns had better be right. Because if Pete gets a higher offer, and out of spite, doesn't come back and ask the Mets to match. Or, if Pete does, and Stearns declines to match, I don't see how Stearns can realistically make up for the loss of Pete with the options that remain. I've said before that I would have blinked long before this. Let's see if he's right.

I take all of this with a grain of salt. The Mets front office doesn't leak. So figure everything you're hearing is coming from Boras, especially since Heyman is one of the guys reporting this. Stearns/Mets don't benefit in any way from news that they are pivoting to plan B. Boras does. The news comes out. Mets fans get outraged. Boras tries to use that to ramp up the pressure on the Mets. When the Soto saga was going on, the numbers were leaked constantly. Because it benefited Boras/Soto to have the numbers floated around so teams would increase their bids. With Pete's side, it's been a week and there's been no release of Pete's demands. This suggests that Boras doesn't want those numbers to be known. I think this is all a negotiation ploy, and that eventually the two sides will agree upon a deal.

Jim Duquette did an interview on something called "Foul Territory". Basically says that Pete and Stearns are in a stare down. Pete wants them to come up to his number and Stearns doesn't feel the need to bid against himself. Duquette suggested that Cohen may need to step in. No numbers from either side were mentioned.

Still not a peep on the Alonso demand. I'm guessing the demand must have been stupid high from Boras/Pete.

I think the 93.3 number is speculation from writers for the Athletic. I haven’t seen that it’s his actual demand yet.

Two days later and there are no reports of the numbers being asked. Curious.

I saw a Heyman clip posted by NY Post sports. Summary: ---There's a "good chance" of a reunion ---Spent some time advertising Pete's accomplishments (6 years, more HRs than anyone other than Judge). ----"Not a certainly, there are other teams involved" ---"They haven't met the price yet, there's some more compromising to do" ---It's only Jan. 10. Half the free agents haven't signed, Bryce Harper signed in February, so did Prince Fielder. They got big deals. ---A lot of teams are looking at shorter term deals with opt outs for Pete ---More than a month to go before Spring Training Basically, he ran through all the points Scott Boras would want him to cover. If I'm reading between the lines, it kinda sounds like Boras is pushing back on this leak, or at the very least, didn't want this information out there, and sent Heyman to try to pry back some leverage.

I have no idea if Jim Duquette has any credibility on stuff like this. I don't remember him having any inside knowledge, but I also don't remember him being wrong about stuff like this. If it's true, I'm guessing it's just a matter of time until a deal is hammered out.

Which was exacerbated by Pete publicly stating how much he'd love to be back. Basically he told other teams they'd be used as negotiating pawns. He's so goofy and loveable. Part of why I want him back.

I hope this is the case. The key will be whether another team enters the mix. If no team ever shows interest, then Pete has one and only option. If another team comes in with a 3 year offer, then I think BG's contract is more likely. I would think there would be some team interested in a 40+ HR bat on a 3 year deal, but what do I know.

I'm here too. I think this is the most likely result. I think it's possible that someone may enter the picture on a short term deal, but I think only the Mets would extend to that fourth year (and option years) and that will ultimately be the difference. Also, I think Pete would prefer to come back if everything else was equal.