Steve Cohen finds himself at a crossroads that could define the Mets’ future. Pete Alonso broke the Mets’ franchise home run record Tuesday night, going deep twice and knocking in three runs as New York beat the Atlanta Braves 13-5. Alonso’s first homer, a two-run shot just beyond the right-center field fence off Spencer Strider in the third inning, was his 253rd; hence, moving past Darryl Strawberry, who had held the team mark since 1988. You know what they say about defining moments — this was one of them.
The contract situation has reached a boiling point as Pete Alonso approaches his opt-out decision on a two-year, $54 million deal. With his stellar 2025 performance — a .272 average, 28 homers, 98 RBIs, and an .886 OPS — the first baseman has positioned himself for a massive payday that industry insiders predict could reach $100 million. The numbers don’t lie, and neither does the leverage Alonso now holds over Cohen’s front office.
Alonso’s recent comments reveal the emotional weight behind the business negotiations. “Yeah, for sure,” he said when asked about staying. “For me, I love the city of New York, I love this fan base, it’s been great. But, again, the business is the business side if they choose to go in another direction.” The vulnerability in his voice was unmistakable as he continued: “It’s been an absolute treat and pleasure here. This group is special… I mean, we’ve just got an incredible group here that has a great purpose. It’s been great playing here—but, yeah, I hope it doesn’t end.”
Carlos Mendoza was emotional following first baseman Pete Alonso’s record-breaking home run. The manager didn’t hide his feelings about what this moment meant. “Since day one, what I’ve seen from him is a guy that cares so much about winning, cares so much about his teammates and the organization,” Mendoza said, admitting the night moved him to tears. “You appreciate (that) he posts. That’s something, as a manager, you don’t have to worry about who’s playing first base and who’s hitting the middle of your lineup. I think it goes back to understanding what it takes to play here.” Those might be the words every owner wants to hear about their franchise cornerstone.
The emotional weight of Alonso’s achievement echoes throughout the organization. Days before Pete Alonso agreed to return to the Mets, he met at a Tampa social club with his agent, Scott Boras, Mets owner Steve Cohen, and president of baseball operations David Stearns. That earlier negotiation dance already tested Cohen’s patience — he called the talks “exhausting.” But Mendoza’s tearful response to the record-breaking moment reveals what Cohen might lose if he doesn’t act decisively.
But this emotional campaign masks the cold reality of Alonso’s brilliant business strategy. The slugger’s calculated contract gamble is now positioned to deliver exactly what he envisioned.
Alonso’s Calculated Mets Bet Ready to Pay Off Big
This mounting pressure stems from Alonso’s masterful gamble on himself that now threatens to backfire on the New York Mets organization. After watching his 2023 struggles deny him the long-term security he craved, the first baseman made a calculated move that positioned him for the biggest payday of his career.
The strategic brilliance behind Alonso’s two-year deal becomes clearer with each towering home run. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa captures the inevitability perfectly: “This one is pretty straightforward. Alonso can opt out of a $24 million salary for 2026, and he will do that barring injury over these next few weeks.” The contract structure protected Alonso while giving him flexibility — exactly what smart agents design.
Image: MLB.com
Axisa breaks down the contract’s genius: “His contract amounted to $30 million in 2025 with a $24 million insurance policy in case of injury or poor performance, which hasn’t happened. Alonso will head back into free agency and hope to secure the long-term deal he was unable to land this past offseason.” The insurance policy worked flawlessly, covering his downside while preserving his upside.
The numbers validate every aspect of Alonso’s bet on himself. Through 120 games, he’s slashing .272/.370/.530, demonstrating the power-average combination that makes general managers write massive checks. Cohen now faces the ultimate test — reward loyalty with a franchise-altering contract, or watch his homegrown star join a competitor with deeper pockets and championship dreams?
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