NEW YORK, NY — Major League Baseball has reached the point of the offseason where fans begin to get impatient with free agents still available, but at what cost for their respective team of rooting interest?
The euphoria enjoyed by Mets fans following the signing of Juan Soto has turned to consternation regarding the Flushing future of fan favorite first baseman Pete Alonso who is now a free agent.
Many Mets fans are showing frustration that Pete has not yet re-signed with their beloved team. There were unsubstantiated reports the Mets had offered him a three-year, $90 million contract which he rejected.
Pete Alonso hit 34 home runs in 2024 and has recorded 226 in his career – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Many Mets fans were angry with him and his agent, Scott Boras, for turning down that stratospheric offer. While that is more money than can ever be spent in most lifetimes, there is more than meets the eye here.
Alonso, who just turned 30, loves playing baseball. He wants reassurance he won’t have to be seeking a new contract the way fellow first basemen, Paul Goldschmidt, and Christian Walker, who are 34 and 37 respectively, had to do this off-season. The actuarial tables do not favor older ballplayers when it comes to contracts, as the probabilities of good production decrease and injuries increase.
Paul Goldschmidt signed a one-year deal with the Yankees last month – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
Mets general manager David Stearns is also well-aware of those indisputable probabilities, and that is why he is taking a firm, but not necessarily intractable, stance in his negotiations with Scott Boras. He is concerned about taking on yet another long-term economic liability on his balance sheet, as well as blocking a position for Mets prospects such as Ryan Clifford.
Scott Boras told me at the Juan Soto press conference he knows Pete Alonso’s value is far greater in New York than in any other market. Boras had termed Juan Soto the Mona Lisa of free agents knowing that Mets owner Steve Cohen is an avid art collector.
Juan Soto and Scott Boras during Soto’s introductory press conference at Citi Field – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
When I asked him if he had an art analogy for Pete Alonso, he replied, “He is a Chagall!” Boras was referring to Marc Chagall who has many works on display in the Museum of Modern Art, and whose stained-glass window is prominent at the United Nations. Chagall, like Alonso, loved New York City.
David Stearns is aware the Mets have not locked up a homegrown position player to a career-spanning contract since David Wright.
David Stearns and the Mets plan to continue to look to improve the team through free agency spending and trades this offseason – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
Alonso is on the precipice of moving past Darryl Strawberry for the Mets all-time home run leader. He also knows Pete’s dramatic homer in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Brewers reinforced his image as a Mets icon. These are not small factors.
The odds favor Alonso staying in Queens, but you cannot fault Scott Boras for doing his due diligence and seeing if a team such as the Giants or Mariners is willing to offer a crazed sum for his client’s services.
Howie Rose and Pete Alonso chat as the Mets take batting practice at Citizens Bank Park – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
It is important for Alonso to be reporting to spring training when camps open. He can’t risk injury or a bad start with a long holdout.
MSG Networks and Optimum go to Battle
Carriage disputes between cable networks and providers are as expected as freezing weather in the Northeast in January. Nevertheless, the removal of MSG Networks by Optimum is surprising considering Optimum was for years a sister company to MSG Networks under the Cablevision umbrella. When Cablevision sold Optimum to Altice a few years ago, the assumption was MSG Networks would have favored nation status. That has proven to be erroneous.
MSG Networks and the YES Network recently launched a joint venture, the Gotham Sports app, as a way of appealing to cord cutters. At $30 a month it is not a cheap investment for consumers. The Knicks are doing their part with their fine season. On the other hand, Gotham Sports should have to pay consumers to watch the awful New York Rangers and Brooklyn Nets.
Nebraska defeats Boston College in 2024 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium
The 2024 Pinstripe Bowl in which the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers defeated the Boston College Eagles 20-15 at Yankee Stadium was not a work of art as both teams were guilty of sloppy play, especially when it came to kicking.
In the 2024 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, Nebraska defeated Boston College, 20-15 – Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images
Nevertheless, the crowd reminded me of why New York’s bowl game is important. It seemed as if a third of the state of Nebraska descended on the Bronx for the game.
Another Successful Turnout for Pop Tarts Bowl
ESPN’s announcing team of Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers (brother of Jets QB Aaron Rodgers) had an understandably tough time keeping straight faces watching the mascots in action at the Pop Tarts Bowl held in Orlando. Hart was correct in calling the championship trophy the most unique in sports. It was a silver football angled at 45 degrees modeled after the Super Bowl Lombardi Trophy, with toaster openings containing silver Pop Tarts.
The Pop Tarts Bowl has become one of the most entertaining college football bowl games – Image Credit: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
The MVP of the Pop Tarts Bowl was Iowa State Cyclones QB Rocco Becht, the son of former Jets tight end, and current radio analyst, Anthony Becht. Rocco said his favorite Pop Tarts flavor is cinnamon roll.
Remembering and Paying Tribute to Len Randle
Former Mets infielder Len Randle lost his battle with cancer last month. Randle played for the Mets in 1977 and 1978, an unfortunate era in team history as the Mets were reeling in the aftermath of foolishly trading Tom Seaver. He is best known, however, for being the first MLB player to do so professionally in Italy. Randle was quite popular and was instrumental in growing the sport there. In recent years, Mike Piazza has served as manager of the Italian national team which has taken part in the World Baseball Classic.
Sports World mourns the passing of Greg Gumbel
The sports broadcasting world lost a giant with the death of Greg Gumbel who is best remembered for hosting “Selection Sunday” for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on CBS for years. Gumbel also worked as host of “The NFL Today” and called a Super Bowl for the Tiffany Network.
Longtime sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel passed away at the age of 78 – Image Credit: CBS
Greg’s brother, Bryant Gumbel, was inducted in the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame this past January. He could not attend because he was tending to his older brother whose condition was clearly serious. Hopefully, Greg Gumbel will be inducted posthumously in 2025, and Bryant will make his acceptance speech.
Patrick McEnroe set to host Saturday morning show “Holding Court” on Mad Dog Radio/Sirius XM
Former US Team Davis Cup captain, and longtime mainstay on the men’s tennis tour, Douglaston native Patrick McEnroe (yes, John’s brother) will be hosting a Saturday morning show on SiriusXM’s “Mad Dog Radio” called “Holding Court.” McEnroe promises to opine not just on tennis but on other sports as well. I expect him to give coverage to his favorite baseball team, the Mets.
CNN plans to launch documentary on the legendary Kobe Bryant later this month
CNN will be launching a three-part series on the life of the late Kobe Bryant titled “Kobe: Making of a Legend.” It debuts on the evening of January 25.
Victor Wembanyama visits Washington Square Park, Plays chess with fans
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama made himself a New York hero by going on social media asking chess players to meet him for a game on a rainy Saturday morning at Washington Square Park.
Victor Wembanyama takes a photo with a ton of fans during their rainy morning spent together playing chess – Image Credit: NBA
Wembanyama was not exactly Bobby Fischer or Gary Kasparov as he lost most of the matches, but he had an enjoyable time and enjoyed interacting with all who ventured down to see him in Greenwich Village. New York City Tourism, our town’s conventions and visitors bureau, should hire Wembanyama as a pitchman.
Catch “Going Dutch” on FOX
FOX kicked off the new year with a new comedy titled “Going Dutch.” It stars Denis Leary as a no-nonsense colonel who is assigned to run an inept, unimportant service base in the Netherlands by a vengeful general (Joe Morton) who cannot stand his impolitic behavior. Leary is at his best dispensing one-liners while doing a slow burn. “Going Dutch” is reminiscent of popular 1960s offbeat military-themed TV comedies such as “McHale’s Navy” and “F Troop.”
“Luther: Never Too Much” on CNN
CNN’s documentary on the late Luther Vandross, “Luther: Never Too Much,” serves as a reminder of his immense singing talents. In many ways, Vandross’s career path was like that of another New Yorker, Barry Manilow. Both were top-notch balladeers; first-class showmen; were in-demand by advertisers for writing and singing memorable jingles; and for years were questioned about their sexuality as if that were anyone’s business.
“Luther: Never Too Much” made its debut on New Year’s Day on CNN – Image Credit: CNN
Vandross’s biggest demon however was his weight. He saw food as a source of comfort from stress. He would gain and lose weight much the same way Jackie Gleason did. That constant yo-yoing took a physical toll on Vandross who was diabetic. The result was a 2003 stroke which would eventually lead to his death at age 54 two years later.
You can read more of Lloyd Carroll’s columns posted weekly on The Queens Chronicle.
