What makes Pete Alonso’s Mets value different from other suitors

LOS ANGELES – Some rival executives say they believe free agent Pete Alonso is ultimately worth more to the Mets than anyone else because of his lofty status among fans.

Mets owner Steve Cohen and agent Scott Boras were talking at length at the NLCS and the topic might have been Alonso (they’re not allowed to talk about Juan Soto yet). But early hints point to the Mets can have Alonso shop around before presenting an updated offer.

This isn’t an insult, but it’s the same tactic the Yankees once used against Derek Jeter. While Alonso isn’t in Jeter’s category as an all-time great with rings, he is beloved by hometown fans and he helped that relationship with a huge October that saw two of the biggest homers in Mets history an ordinary regular season erase.

The Astros, Cubs, Orioles and Mariners are seen as other possibilities. And what about the Phillies if Bryce Harper returns to the outfield?

Ultimately, the Mets may believe that no one will meet their contractual expectations, or the value they themselves place on the beloved Met.

While Mets baseball president David Stearns has only positive things to say about Alonso, Cohen is likely key to these conversations. Stearns’ former colleagues are said to be averse to long deals for free agents in their mid-20s (Alonso is 29). Soto, who turned 26 on Friday, would be more up his alley.