By Bridget Hyland | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
It’s likely that the Mets could be shopping a slew of players at this year’s deadline, and that list is highlighted by Pete Alonso.
The slugging first baseman is in the final year of his contract with the Mets, and as a Scott Boras client, he’s likely to test the market in free agency before signing a new deal.
Mets broadcaster and former first baseman Keith Hernandez spoke about that motivation that comes in a walk year on SNY’s Mets Off Day Live.
“Well, you’re always aware of it — a lot of it is just chatter,” Hernandez said. “He’s a big, big star, power hitter, prolific power hitter, one of the great power hitters in the game today. So there’s always going to be speculation, and as a player, you have to just eliminate that. I do feel that maybe Pete (was feeling), in the beginning — I’m pretty sure he’s going to opt for free agency, that’s my feeling — the pressure to put up a big number. I think he’s been pulling too much, a lot of swings and misses. Came around in the series in Washington — started hitting line drives, using right-center field, opposite field. But I feel like he’s turning a corner right now. I feel like the whole team now is kind of turning a corner.”
