BVW true to word: Alonso’s on roster
WASHINGTO N, D.C. — Big Apple: Meet your next King Kong.
Pete Alonso is making the Mets Opening Day roster, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen confirmed on Wednesday. The Mets inaugurate the 2019 regular season against the Nationals this afternoon.
All it required was a 20-second video to encapsulate Alonso breaking camp after months of speculation. Moments after Van Wagenen made his inclusion official, the rookie posted a tweet with his face photoshopped onto the classic video of King Kong pounding his chest atop the Empire State Building.
From day one of Van Wagenen’s first spring training with the Mets, the general manager proclaimed a ‘players first’ approach to baseball operations. In the end, he abandoned the Mets ability to manipulate Alonso’s service time. Van Wagenen stayed true to his word by pinning the first baseman as one of the Mets best 25 players.
“When players perform and earn opportunities, we as an industry – and certainly the New York Mets – will reward those players for those performances,” Van Wagenen said. “Pete Alonso, for example, is a player that had a tremendous year last year. He had a great Fall League.”
“I spent a lot of time with him this offseason letting him know there was an opportunity for him to make this club if he was one of the best 25 players in this organization. He showed us and certainly showed his teammates he was one of those 25 guys. He earned it.”
Alonso followed an impressive 2018 minor-league season with a memorable spring training. The 24-year-old slashed .352/.387/.620 with a 1.006 OPS and four homers, 11 RBI, a triple, five doubles and 13 runs scored across 71 at-bats in Mets camp.
Following each of his 22 Grapefruit League games, Alonso sat at his locker with a notebook and pencil to write down his adjustments. He charged into camp with a clear goal to “force the Mets hand,” and he walked out earning a spot on the 25-man roster.
“This was the first time I’ve been able to see him play,” Jacob deGrom said. “He’s an exciting player. I think he’s got the most power I’ve ever seen, especially during batting practice, so that’s fun to watch. The kid came in with a goal to win a job and that’s what he did. I’m excited to have him at first base.”
When it was clear Dominic Smith improved his offense and wound up with an equally impressive spring training, there were doubts Alonso would make the Opening Day roster. Plus, Alonso’s service time wasn’t helping his case to break camp.
If the Mets decided to hold Alonso in the minors until late April, they would garner an extra year of team control. The 24-year-old would remain in Flushing for seven years instead of six. Van Wagenen said the final decision came down to the general manager’s stated desire of wanting to win games as early and as often as they can.
“I’m not of the mindset that we should be sacrificing the best product for the fans and the best product for the other 24 guys in that clubhouse to save service time or potential future money six years down the road,” Van Wagenen said.
“If Pete Alonso or anybody on our roster is good enough to have six consecutive years without ever having a hiccup or without ever having to go to the minor leagues, that’s a good, high-class problem for the player, it’s a high-class problem for the organization and it’s a reward that the fans will be fortunate to see.”
OPENING DAY ROSTER: SET
The team’s two final bullpen spots were the only remaining question marks as the Mets wrapped up spring training in Sarasota. On Wednesday, Van Wagenen confirmed right-hander Tim Peterson and southpaw Luis Avilan will make up the backend of the Mets revamped pen.
The additions complete the Mets 25-man roster ahead of the team’s season opener at Nationals Park.
Mets fans can count on seeing the following players in uniform on Thursday.
Position players: Jeff McNeil, Robinson Cano, Amed Rosario, Pete Alonso, Dominic Smith, Wilson Ramos, Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares, Tomas Nido, J.D. Davis, Luis Guillorme, Keon Broxton
Starters: Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, Jason Vargas
Relievers: Edwin Diaz, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, Justin Wilson, Luis Avilan, Tim Peterson