It did not have to come to this. For months, the writing was on the wall: a franchise cornerstone entering his prime, a fan base craving for a commitment, and a front office hesitating at the worst possible moment. Pete Alonso had made it clear that he wanted to stay in New York, but on terms that reflected his value. The Mets, instead of locking up their slugger long-term, chose to gamble. Now, that bet might cost them dearly.

Last offseason tells the saga. Alonso entered free agency seeking a long-term deal, confident in his power bat and production. The market did not move as swiftly as he expected, but rather than panic, he doubled down on himself. After months of waiting and no progress on a long-term contract, he signed a two-year, $54 million deal with the Mets, but with one critical detail: an opt-out after the first year. It was not just a contract; it was a form of leverage. And Alonso has used it brilliantly this season.

The numbers make it totally impossible to ignore. Through 126 games, Alonso has crushed 28 home runs, driven in 101 RBIs, and posted an .862 OPS. As MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported, “Like Bregman, it took Alonso until mid-February to land a deal, re-signing with the Mets for two years and $54 million. Alonso can opt out of the final year and $24 million of the deal to give free agency another try, and with 28 home runs, 101 RBIs and an .862 OPS through 126 games this season, that scenario appears likely.” Translation? The Mets are gazing at a near-certainty: their best hitter is about to test the market once more.

And here’s the twist: there is already a powerful landing position gaining traction. The Red Sox — a team with payroll flexibility and a glaring gap at first base — are watching closely. With Triston Casas injured and no consistent availability at the position all season, the Red Sox have every reason to pounce. As Feinsand highlighted, the Red Sox are a “potential suitor in the Alonso sweepstakes” should he opt out. That possibility turns the Mets’ cautious approach from questionable to potentially catastrophic and if it happens, then it will become tough for the Mets, given the Red Sox will become stronger.

For Mets fans, the concern becomes unavoidable: how did it come to this? How did a team that once prided itself on building around homegrown stars let negotiations get so out of hand? Perhaps the most concerning thing of all — what message does such a situation send to future free agents considering the Mets as their long-period home? Losing Pete Alonso would not just weaken the lineup of the team; it would highlight the instability to the entire league.

The painful reality? This is not just a story about dollars and contracts anymore. It is a narrative of missed opportunities, eroding trust, and a rival waiting in the wings. If Alonso walks and signs with a contender like Boston, the Mets would not just lose a talent. They will lose face. And in the unforgiving world of New York sports, that is a price far higher than $54 million.

But the Pete Alonso situation is not the only storyline shaping the Mets’ future. While the looming free-agency drama threatens the franchise’s long-term stability, immediate struggles on the field are demanding attention, and nowhere is that more evident than on the pitching mound.

The Mets Face Another Test of Helping Ryan Helsley Find His Groove

Winning should have brought relief. The New York Mets had just notched a much-needed victory against the Braves, the team’s fourth in six games. Yet, in the midst of celebration, one issue loomed too large to ignore: Ryan Helsley’s struggles. For Carlos Mendoza, the win was a temporary salve over a wound that keeps reopening. “I’m not going to say I’m concerned,” Mendoza said after the game, “but we’ve got to help him.” It was not just a critique — it was a plea.

Helsley’s outing against Atlanta was brutal by his own standards. He allowed three runs in a single, exhausting 24-pitch inning and failed to record a single strikeout. This was not a one-off bad day; it was a continuation of an unsettling trend. After showing signs of improvement in a clean outing against the Mariners, expectations had risen, but the Braves exposed deeper flaws. As Mendoza pointed out, hitters are not chasing his pitches, and his fastball, once his calling card, is getting guessed with alarming accuracy.

These struggles come at a critical juncture for the New York Mets. With the team grazing its way back to respectability, every bullpen collapse feels magnified. And unlike Alonso’s contractual story, this problem demands immediate, tangible solutions. Fixing Helsley is not just about one pitcher; it is about stabilizing a franchise trying to prove it can still compete in a grueling season. Can Mendoza and his staff make the right adjustments before these cracks widen?  Stay tuned because the clock is ticking fast.