On Monday afternoon, Sean Manaea spoke to the media for the first time since re-signing with the New York Mets. As anticipated, other storylines were also discussed during the press conference.
After expressing his excitement about reuniting with former Padres teammate Juan Soto, the left-hander was asked about free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. Manaea shared his hope that the Mets can bring him back, despite the slow-moving market.
Whatever happens with Pete, I’m always going to support him, but I would definitely love to have him back on the Mets and be our first baseman,” Manaea said. “Hopefully, we can get that done, but whatever happens at the end of the day, I’m gonna be happy for him either way.”
Alonso, 30, has spent his entire six-year career in Queens. In 2024, the right-handed slugger posted a .240/.329/.459 slash line with 34 home runs and 88 RBI, playing in all 162 regular-season games. He finished the season just 27 home runs shy of the Mets’ all-time record.
In the postseason, Alonso excelled, posting a .999 OPS in 13 games. He hit four home runs, including a memorable three-run blast in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against then-Brewers, now-Yankees All-Star closer Devin Williams. The homer came in the top of the ninth inning and proved to be a turning point in the series.
However, Alonso has yet to find the market he likely anticipated this offseason, leaving him among the top unsigned free agents. While many teams entered the winter with first-base needs, several possible suitors have already addressed that position: the Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt, the Astros added Christian Walker, the Guardians traded Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks and acquired Carlos Santana, and the Nationals traded for Nathaniel Lowe.
