The last time Gary Cohen weighed in on a major New York Mets free agency decision following an unlikely playoff run, well, let’s just say it didn’t turn out too well for the Amazins’.
Back in 2015, Cohen, New York’s longtime TV play-by-play voice, stated he had “no interest” in re-signing Daniel Murphy, labeling him a “net negative.” Cohen’s assessment came after Game 4 of the NLDS. Murphy would be named NLCS MVP before the Mets seemingly agreed with Cohen by letting him sign with the Washington Nationals. In Washington, Murphy established himself as one of the best hitters in the league for two seasons before injuries cut his career short.
A similar situation is playing out with Pete Alonso. Though, one could argue that Alonso has had a much more substantive career in Queens with tangible success. It’s not that Murphy didn’t; it’s just that the Mets didn’t foresee someone who couldn’t field their position cleanly would hit nearly .330 after departing Flushing.
This was before the National League instituted a Designated Hitter, a role that would’ve fit Murphy like a glove in New York. And perhaps he never leaves, but that’s beside the point here. The point is that Alonso was playing himself into being the latest homegrown star to leave the Mets and perhaps take his 226 career home runs to another organization.
In fact, prior to the postseason and his go-ahead three-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers, Alonso looked like a player who wouldn’t return. It wasn’t because there wasn’t mutual interest there, but rather a soon-to-be 30-year-old pressing during a contract season, with his defense and bat speed falling off a cliff, unable to produce with runners in scoring position at key moments.
But something changed for Alonso when the lights shone the brightest. With his go-ahead three-run shot off Devin Williams in the National League Wild Card Series, the Mets first baseman became the first player in MLB history to hit a go-ahead home run while trailing in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all playoff game.
He would hit three more home runs, including a solo shot off Phillies ace Aaron Nola in the Division Series and a three-run bomb off Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty in Game 5 of the Championship Series. Alonso slashed .273/.431/.568 with a .999 OPS to go along with those rather pivotal homers. In total, he recorded 12 hits, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored in 13 games in the 2024 postseason.
It’s easy to get caught up in the emotion of a homegrown player delivering for his team on the biggest stage, but perhaps the fanbase — and the Mets — saw a different side to Alonso. One that gives Cohen a “gut feeling” that Alonso isn’t done donning the Orange and Blue.
“This is what I know. I know that Pete Alonso would like to stay with the Mets,” Cohen said following New York’s Game 6 loss to the Dodgers. “I know that the Mets would like to keep Pete Alonso. I know that Scott Boras is an agent who likes to get top dollar in the market, and I’m sure Pete Alonso would like to get top dollar in the market. How it plays out is anybody’s guess. My gut feeling is that there’s a better than even chance that Pete Alonso remains a New York Met.”
“My gut feeling is there’s a better-than-even chance that Pete Alonso remains a New York Met”
Gary Cohen discusses Pete Alonso’s impending free agency on Mets Post Game Live:
➡️ @NissanUSA pic.twitter.com/XLThK24FYS
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 21, 2024
Whether Cohen’s “gut feeling” proves prophetic, Mets fans no longer have to brace for the inevitable gut punch. Yes, losing Alonso in a scenario familiar to Daniel Murphy’s departure would undoubtedly sting, but New York has an ownership group finally concerned with putting the best possible product on the field.
At the same time, Alonso isn’t just another slugger—he’s a cornerstone, a fan favorite, and the heart of a team that will go down in all-time franchise history. Speaking of history, if it’s taught us anything, letting homegrown talent walk can prove costly, but it seems, at least to Cohen, that the Mets may not be willing to go down that road once again.
[Sportsnaut, SNY]
