Mets Notebook: Quiet offseason continues for David Stearns
The 2023-24 baseball offseason has been slower than a catcher on a basepath. For the Mets, it’s been no different. There isn’t a whole lot going on in Queens at the moment, which is consistent around the league. The biggest news in baseball this week might be that Dr. James Andrews, a pioneering orthopedic surgeon, retired after a 50-year career.
Mets fans have been eager for news about Pete Alonso, but there hasn’t been much on that front all winter. David Stearns kept his word and did not trade the homegrown slugger this winter, but the two sides do not appear close when it comes to a contract extension. This isn’t entirely surprising, considering Alonso is represented by Scott Boras. The agent typically likes to take his clients to free agency to gauge their markets. This is what he did with Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo last season. Ultimately, Nimmo signed an eight-year contract last December.
Alonso has continued to say that he loves wearing a Mets uniform and playing in Queens. His longtime teammate Jeff McNeil would like to see him stay in Mets uniform past the upcoming season, his last under contract.
“I know he wants to be a Met,” McNeil said on Foul Territory TV earlier this week. “We all want him to be a Met as well. I know he loves New York, so hopefully we can keep him long-term. I don’t want to see him play anywhere else. I want to see him be my teammate for a long time.”
McNeil and Alonso came up together in the Mets’ minor league system. They’ve been friends off the field as well. Maybe McNeil can convince Alonso to stay with the Mets longer, but ultimately Alonso and Boras will make the decision.
Whatever the case may be, this is going to be the biggest storyline for the Mets during the 2024 season. The club is confident that Alonso can handle the heat.
Speaking of McNeil, the utility infielder/outfielder should consider playing Alonso for his contract on the golf course. The “Squirrel” might have a good shot of keeping him in New York with a showing like he had last weekend. McNeil, who planned to play professional golf but ended up in baseball instead, won the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions last week, playing in the celebrity division. He beat out Hall of Fame former LPGA Tour pro Annika Sorenstam, as well as former pitchers Derek Lowe and Mark Mulder.
NEWS AND NOTES
Former Mets reliever David Robertston will reunite with Max Scherzer this season in Texas. The 38-year-old right-handed reliever signed a one-year contract with the World Series champion Rangers in the $11-12 million range. … Three former Mets will spend the spring with the Los Angeles Dodgers, right-handers T.J. McFarland and Elieser Hernandez and infielder Jonathan Arauz all received invitations to Major League spring training with the Dodgers. .. Former Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard threw for 16 teams in Southern California this week, according to Robert Murray of Fansided. Michael Lorenzen also threw for scouts with him. Syndergaard went 6.50 ERA in 88.2 innings with the Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians last season.
TASTE OF QUEENS
The Mets chose three Queens-based small businesses to be part of “Taste of Queens” at Citi Field in 2024. The goal of the concession stand is to highlight local restaurants and provide exposure for them throughout the season. Poprice (fried rice), RyRy’s Kitchen (Jamaican) and Benny’s Cuban Café will be a part of the exhibit this season.
