

Two of the biggest players that are still available in the free agency market are Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman. Coincidentally, they also share the same agent — Scott Boras. But the fact that these two well-established players are still unsigned might not be a coincidence after all. Boras has garnered a reputation for playing the long waiting game where he will get the Mets from the teams and the best for his clients.
But sometimes, it does not work out. Owners of teams have also learned to play this game and sometimes they wait as long as the player’s value records a decline. This strategy by the clubs defeats the entire purpose of Scott Boras making the teams wait. Nevertheless, one MLB insider thinks that it is an effective strategy.
Teams looking to adopt a new strategy to circumvent savvy deals
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MLB insider Ken Rosenthal discusses the firm negotiating tactics used by MLB teams with the remaining free agents. Rosenthal says, “They’re essentially bleeding them and they’re essentially saying ‘we will wait and wait and wait until we get the price we want’. This is an effective negotiating strategy because there is no deadline and nothing has to stop any team from continuing on and on and on with players.”
"There's not enough jobs to go around" @Ken_Rosenthal discusses the firm negotiating tactics being used by MLB teams with the remaining free agents. pic.twitter.com/QzkxxWN9Zz
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 4, 2025
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Rosenthal also added that there are not enough jobs to go around making it an effective strategy for the teams. Not even Alonso or Bregman is immune from this as teams wait out and sign lesser-valued players too! The clubs also sign minor league deals with the players whereas the player might have wanted major league deals. As in the case of Pete Alonso, Mets owner Steve Cohen called the entire negotiation process “exhausting” but Scott Boras does not think he is asking anything unreasonable.
Scott Boras fires back at Mets’ owner ‘exhausting’ comment
During the team’s annual “Amazin’ Day,” Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed his displeasure with the structure of the offer put forth by Alonso’s camp. Cohen, a figure known for his outspoken nature, admitted that he doesn’t like how the contract negotiations have been framed, fueling speculation about the future of the star first baseman in New York. The Mets, who have historically splurged on high-profile players, have taken a more cautious approach this time, particularly with Alonso entering his prime years and coming off back-to-back 40+ home run seasons.
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Alonso’s camp, led by super-agent Scott Boras, has fired back in defense of their proposal, emphasizing that the terms align with “established fairness standards.” Boras, never one to back down, pointed out that Alonso’s request mirrors the contract structures given to other star-level players with similar profiles, particularly those who received qualifying offers before becoming free agents. According to Boras, this isn’t an unprecedented ask but rather a reflection of the market norms for players of Alonso’s caliber.
Alonso, a two-time All-Star and fan favorite, has long been viewed as the face of the franchise. However, the Mets are showing signs of fiscal restraint, which could signal a larger shift in their approach to roster building. With the team looking to balance financial sustainability and competitive excellence, Mets fans will closely watch the next steps in these negotiations along with the rest of the league. Will Alonso remain a long-term fixture in Queens, or will these negotiations push him closer to a free-agent market that promises big paydays for sluggers like him?
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Are MLB teams playing hardball with stars like Alonso and Bregman, or is it just smart business?
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Are MLB teams playing hardball with stars like Alonso and Bregman, or is it just smart business?
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