Jose Quintana allowed three home runs, Mets unable to respond in 4-2 loss
Plus, don't worry about the Pete Alonso contract noise!
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets dropped the opener of their three-game series to the Braves 4-2 at Citi Field on Friday (Box)
José Quintana started for the Mets and allowed three home runs in the third inning which netted Atlanta all four of the runs they had on the night - one to each of Ronald Acuña Jr, Ozzie Albies, and Matt Olson
The Mets scattered just four hits on the night, two of which went for extra-bases
Francisco Lindor added a solo home run in the seventh, his seventh of the season
The Mets are now 2-5 at series openers at home, 3-5 in May, 12-10 in one or two runs games, 3-13 when trailing after six innings, 2-2 vs the NL East, and 5-12 when scoring three or fewer runs
Pete Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158 million contract offer from the Mets this past winter (Joel Sherman, via MLB Network)
Injury Updates 🏥
LHP Brooks Raley (elbow inflammation) will visit with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas for additional testing. He is not close to returning
RHP Kodai Senga (shoulder capsule injury) continues to progress and is with the Mets at Citi Field and could soon throw live BP, another bullpen, or begin a major league rehab assignment
RHP Tylor Megill (shoulder inflammation) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday
RHP Drew Smith (shoulder tightness) will make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday
Down on the Farm 🌾
RHP Edgar Moreta (FCL Mets): 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
INF Boston Baro (Single-A St. Lucie): 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
RHP Nolan McLean (Single-A Brooklyn): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
C Kevin Parada (Double-Binghamton): 2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
OF Trayce Thompson (Triple-A Syracuse): 3-for-5, HR, RBI
BOX SCORES
FCL Mets | Single-A STL | Single-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (18-19) vs. Braves (23-12)
Where: Citi Field — Flushing, NY
Starters: LHP Max Fried (2-1, 4.23 ERA) vs. RHP Christian Scott (0-0, 1.35 ERA)
When: 4:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Revisiting the Pete Alonso walk year thing… ✍️
It’s been a while since we heard any noise about Pete Alonso’s pending free agency, but of course it was just a matter of time before it was discussed during the season. And the longer this goes with Alonso remaining unsigned and the Mets meandering in the won-loss column, the louder the conversations are going to get.
And so, Friday was the day when Joel Sherman of the New York Post made an appearance on MLB Network with Ron Darling and Bob Costas, and said Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158 million contract offer from the Mets over the winter.
Sherman said that offer included money for his walk year, meaning part of the seven year deal included the 2024 season.
Naturally, Alonso turned down the offer. It’s unclear whether or not negotiations progressed beyond that initial offer. The only thing we know for sure is the two sides decided to table the conversation until Alonso becomes a free agent.
Since then, Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen has expressed confidence this will work out with the Mets and Alonso, noting the successful conversation the club and Scott Boras had to get a long-term deal done with Brandon Nimmo.
Of course, such conversations didn’t work out quite as well with the agents for Jacob deGrom, for better or for worse.
In that same appearance on MLB Network, Sherman opined the Mets should strongly consider trading Alonso ahead of the trade deadline this summer if the Mets are not contending for a playoff spot.
Quite frankly, is anyone surprised Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension, that which included the 2024 season? I certainly hope not.
Despite his struggles to start this season, Alonso is worth more than $22.6 million in average annual value both in the short and long term. Assuming his year gets straightened out, he is guaranteed to receive better money in free agency whether it’s from the Mets or any other club out there. Even if the market is soft or weird or whatever it was this past winter.
Remember, this is a guy who has hit more home runs since he came up in 2019 than any other player, including Judge. He maybe a bit more of a bipolar hitter than Judge, but he has stayed healthy for the most part and all of that has significantly more value than $22.6 million per year.
And Steve Cohen knows all of that.
So, I am not worried about Alonso turning down an offer the Mets knew he wouldn’t take. Am I little worried they weren’t able to progress beyond that baseline? Sure.
The question with Alonso will never be about the money. Steve Cohen has it, he has said publicly how important Alonso is to the club, its history and the fans. And he will outbid anyone to keep Alonso. Alonso and Scott Boras know that.
Alonso didn’t hire Boras to get $158 million from the Mets. He hired him to get twice that and be put on the same pedestal financially as Aaron Judge as part of a dynamic power duo in this game. I am not sure he’s going to get the kind of coin Judge got, but I do think he will get close, especially if his season this year ends up looking like his past seasons.
The question will always be about sign-ability and whether or not Alonso wants to stay with the Mets.
Alonso has stated repeatedly his admiration for the Mets, the fans the city and how much apart of that he has become. Everything he has said in public should give every hopeful confidence he will be a Met-for-Life, if the price is right of course.
But we have seen this movie before with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and others over the years. So who really knows what is true and what isn’t with respect to Alonso. It could all be lip service, too.
If sign-ability is a non-negotiable barrier, then yes the Mets should trade Alonso and get whatever they can at the trade deadline if they’re not contending. There would be no reason to ride this out with him if they know for sure he doesn’t want to be here long-term. I don’t think sign-ability will be determined by whether or not he gives the Mets a home team discount - I don’t think he should do that, I don’t think the Mets should expect him to do that.
It’s whether or not he wants to exercise is right to play elsewhere when the Mets control of his services expires in six months.
Let’s just see where this road takes Alonso and the Mets, and not get too wrapped up in the drama and opinions people have on what the Mets should or shouldn’t do with Alonso (including mine, although I’d like to think I am a bit more pragmatic than others). It’s a gamble for both sides when a player enters his walk year unsigned. Alonso clearly wanted to take the Judge route, gamble on himself and see if he can create for value and demand for his services in an open field of bidders.
I can respect that - I do that myself when I am looking for a job on the market. I’m never out there trying to get less, that is for sure. I just wish I could get the kind of money these players do.
The strategy worked out for Judge, maybe not so much for another Boras client, Michael Conforto. But that’s the nature of the gamble and the business they’re in.
And I genuinely hope it works for Alonso. I am not ever going to get wrapped up over a bad month for a player. He’s been a Hall of Famer caliber player to-date in his career, he’s the most prolific power hitter the Mets have ever had, I think his game is a part of their solution and not remotely close to their problem, and it is for those reasons I hope he spends his entire career with the Mets.
Besides, we are just under three months from the trade deadline. A lot can happen. Let it play out…
Around the League 🚩
Clarke Schmidt fired 6.2 shutout innings to help the Yankees to a 2-0 win over the Rays
The Phillies improved to 27-12 with an 8-2 win over the Marlins, who are now 10-30 having lost four straight games
Luis Arraez hit a walk-off single to help the Padres edge the Dodgers 2-1 in San Diego
Cody Bellinger doubled twice and homered as part of a four-hit night to help lead the Cubs to a 7-2 win over the Pirates
Willy Adamas, Rhys Hoskins, Sal Frelick, and Jake Bauers each drove in two runs as the Brewers routed the Cardinals 11-2