After a report on Wednesday morning indicated that Pete Alonso is seeking a 10-year deal with his next contract, Mets general manager Billy Eppler issued a statement saying, “any circulating reports do not accurately reflect our conversations with Pete.”
Prior to Wednesday’s game in Miami, reporters asked Alonso about this latest report and about his future with the club beyond the 2024 season, when he’s set to hit free agency.
But Alonso explained that, for now, his sole focus is on the day-to-day of trying to win baseball games, and all contract-related business is more of an offseason issue for him.
“I’ve just been trying to play the best to my ability this season, and for me I’ve just been concentrating on the season and performing at the highest level that I can perform,” Alonso said. “I owe that to my teammates, I owe that to this organization, I owe that to the fans. To me, anything off the field I haven’t really thought about or concentrated on, for me, because during the season I just want to be as locked in as possible and focus on my performance and helping the team to the best of my ability.”
The 28-year-old first baseman is currently rounding out another terrific year, as he’s not only established himself as one of the premier power hitters in all of baseball but also in Mets history. With 2023 already being his third season of at least 40 homers, Alonso is just one home run behind Howard Johnson (192) for fifth place on the team’s all-time home run list.
Alonso made it clear that he loves playing in New York, but didn’t say much more when it comes to contract talks.
“I love it here. I love New York. It’s been such a blessing and an honor to be a part of this organization,” Alonso said. “New York, it doesn’t [just] feel like home because it is home. Like New York for my family and I, it just means so much, and it’s really been – Citi Field’s a great place to play. The fans are super passionate and care so much, and the whole city of New York has been super welcoming to my family and I. It’s been an honor. It’s been nothing short of an honor and it’s been awesome.
“For me, the only thing, really, I’ve been focusing on, I just want to be the best player that I can be every single day for my teammates, this organization and the fans. And that's really all I’ve been trying to focus on this year.”