Pete Alonso’s story in New York has turned into a full-fledged saga, one that the Mets are not fond of. In 2023, he reportedly declined a seven-year, $158 million extension in his contract year. After the dismal season, he agreed to a one-year, $20.5 million deal in 2024. But after posting his career-best season, the first batsman wishes to opt out of his player option and check his market once again. Although there are chances for him to return to the Mets, Ryan Finkelstein of the Locked On Mets Podcast believes owner Steve Cohen might finally move on.

In the recent episode, the host talked about what Pete Alonso wants his contract to be. They said, “It does seem like we could be headed towards another staring contest between Scott Boras and David Stearns. I don’t think David Stearns is going to blink at a seven-year ask, and even if there is, I still don’t think he’s gonna blink. I think he’s gonna look at other options. But also, can the Mets afford to just wait on Pete all offseason again?

“Pete, this time, is really the biggest piece of their offseason. Last year, it was Soto. And you had that ace in your back pocket. And you knew your team is going to be a Juan Soto better than the years before. Now you’ve had Soto. So, if you don’t sign Pete now, it’s just going to be a Pete Alonso worse than the year before. There are other first basemen in this market, and that’s where these things get interesting, and this is where Pete Alonso could end up not being a Met anymore.

“Because if Scott Boras is dead-set on seven years without generating a market that would necessitate such an ask, and if the Mets are still set at a shorter deal, they (The Mets) might get to a point where they say, ‘Let’s try to be the team that lands Munetaka Murakami’ … He’s a lot younger, though… if he’s going to get a seven-year deal, we’re not even paying for a guy into his late 30s.”

The Mets, Pete Alonso, and his agent Scott Boras previously clashed over contract length and total value demands.

That standoff created public frustration, leaving Mets fans anxious about securing their franchise’s first baseman long-term. Opting for a short-term, $54 million deal, Alonso kept the power in his hands with an opt-out clause.

This winter, Alonso’s expected request for a seven-year deal covering ages 31 through 37 raises similar challenges. His batting cannot be replaced. In a strong 2025 season, he set the franchise’s all-time home run mark and was hitting .277 with 38 home runs. He also posted his best OPS (.871) since his rookie season. He blasted 38 home runs and drove in 126 runs. He led the majors with 41 doubles. The pairing of Soto and Alonso certainly worked as well. But defensive concerns at first base remain.

Alonso’s defense worsened as the season went on. He had trouble throwing the ball to home plate and to first base, and his range ranked in the bottom 3 percent in MLB. If he returns, the team would like him to get to the DH post more often, as compared to his only 3 times in the last two seasons. In their final game, too, his defensive lapses were visible as he could not make a couple of defensive plays during an inning that epitomized the Mets’ epic collapse against the Mariners.

With the Mets already having a poor defense, and his comparisons to players like Josh Naylor, limit teams’ willingness to commit completely. The Mets may again face a tough choice: meet Alonso’s demands or risk losing him to another team entirely.

“I’ve loved playing here. There’s some great guys in this clubhouse. There’s some great people on staff,” Alonso said after a heartbreaking finale, which included the hardest-hit ball of his season (115.9 mph) becoming a bases-loaded lineout. “I’ve really appreciated it and have been nothing but full of gratitude every single day. Nothing’s guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens. I’ve loved being a Met. Hopefully, they’ve appreciated me the same.”

If Alonso departs, Munetaka Murakami emerges as a compelling alternative for New York, blending youth and power. Murakami, 25, blasted 56 home runs with 134 RBIs in 2022, showing elite production in Japan’s NPB. He also played both first and third base, offering positional flexibility, while maintaining consistent performance across eight seasons. Murakami’s combination of power, plate discipline, and growth potential could provide the Mets with stability and a fresh, international spark.

Despite being a year older, Alonso can fetch more than the two-year, $54 million guarantee. He now holds the cards again while Murakami waits in the wings, a younger slugger ready to teach Alonso some patience. But there are more fish in the sea, and the Mets are ready to hook some.

The Mets can go for another infielder to replace Pete Alonso at first base

Pete Alonso’s shadow still looms over Citi Field, but if he decides to move on, the Mets won’t be left scrambling for peanuts. While Munetaka Murakami is drawing drooling glances from the Phillies, Yankees, and anyone with deep pockets, the Mets might just take the quieter, slightly cheaper route. A savvy corner infielder could slide into first base without the circus, keeping the lineup powerful and the wallet mostly intact.

Kazuma Okamoto has carried the Yomiuri Giants’ lineup with consistent power and clutch hitting for years. From 2018 through 2024, he averaged 33 home runs and 27 doubles, showing rare middle-order reliability. In 2023, his 41 homers and 93 RBI reminded fans why he thrives in the spotlight. Okamoto’s defense adds excitement beyond the bat, making him a complete first-base solution for the Mets. He earned two Gold Gloves and the 2024 award for best defensive first baseman in NPB. Mets fans could watch him transform Citi Field with both long balls and dependable fielding daily.

If Pete Alonso departs, the New York Mets need a first baseman who delivers without unnecessary drama. Kazuma Okamoto offers proven power and gold-glove defense, giving the lineup stability and excitement instantly. One way or another, Stearns will have to decide if loyalty beats logic this winter. But as it was visible last year, if a team enters the conversation at the right time, the Mets just might cut him off.