Mets may not be able to afford to let Pete Alonso walk this time

Can the Mets really let Pete Alonso go in free agency after the year he’s having? 

“He fits the Mets. He’s great there,” one rival GM says. “That’s the right place for him. He’s a fan favorite. He had a down year and they still brought him back.” 

The Mets obviously threatened not to sign him back before Steve Cohen raised the first-year bid from around $25 million to $30M, getting it done. 

Alonso, who’ll obviously opt out, met at Dodger Stadium with agent Scott Boras. His better season (.949 OPS) and the lack of a qualifying offer should play.