What Mets’ Alonso envisions might not be reality
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso says he’s envisioned being a “lifelong Met” as he enters the last year of club control.
Alonso has been one of the sport’s most prolific power hitters over the past five seasons. He was the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year after leading the major leagues with 53 homers. He had 37 homers in 2021, 40 in 2022 and 46 in 2023, though his average fell to a career-low .216 last year.
“I love it here,” Alonso said. “I definitely have envisioned me being a lifelong Met, that’s something I’ve definitely thought about. I love New York, it’s a really special place for my family and I ... “
That sounds good for Mets fans.
What might not sound good to them: Alonso switched agents in the offseason. His new representative: Scott Boras.
Yankees
The arrival of Juan Soto has created the question of where Aaron Judge will hit in the lineup. Judge has taken 1,971 at-bats from the No. 2 spot in his career — far more than anywhere else. But Soto might be a more natural No. 2 hitter. Judge would logically drop to the third spot, a move that he’d be more than willing to make.
“I’ve been telling [manager Aaron Boone] since 2021 I wanna hit third,” Judge recently told Sean Casey on his podcast. “I may be old school in that [way], but all the great hitters when I was growing up watching — you want to be a three-hitter. You want to be that guy coming up third, the big, heavy hitter in the back.”
Athletics
According to a report in The Athletic and followed up by Bay Area News Group, Sacramento has emerged as the likely landing spot for the A’s from 2025-27 as they wait for their new home in Las Vegas to be built. The team’s lease at the Oakland Coliseum expires after this season. According to the reports, the A’s are eyeing Sutter Health Park, the 14,000capacity Triple-A home of the San Francisco Giants, to host them until their ballpark in Las Vegas is ready in 2028.
Phillies
Philadelphia reached a contract agreement with utility infielder Whit Merrifield, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The agreement is for an $8 million, one-year deal that includes a $8 million club option for 2025. Merrifield, 35, is a three-time All-Star and hit .272 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs last season with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Padres
Xander Bogaerts is moving tosecond base to clear the way for2023 Gold Glove utilityman Ha-Seong Kim to take over as San Diego’s shortstop. This movecomes one year after the Padres signed Bogaerts — a shortstop throughout his career — to an 11-year, $280 million contract. “I can’t say it’s like etched in stone, ... but we’re going to see what it looks like,” manager Mike Shildtsaid Friday.
Diamondbacks
Arizona and veteran slugger Randal Grichuk agreed on a $2 million, one-year contract with a mutual option for 2025, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. Grichuk, 32, has 191 career homers in a career that began with St. Louis.
Marlins
Left-handed pitcher Tanner Scott won the year’s final salary arbitration case, leaving players with a 9-6 margin in decisions this year. Scott was awarded $5.7 million instead of the Marlins’ $5.15 million offer after going 9-5 with a 2.31 ERA and 12 saves in 16 chances last season. Teams have a 353-266 advantage since arbitration started in 1974.