Alonso coy on future heading into free agency: 'I love New York'

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso acknowledged he hasn't thought about his looming free agency yet but that he's proud of New York after its magical NLCS run ended Sunday with a loss in Game 6.

"I love this team. I love this organization. This fan base has treated not just myself, but my family so, so well," Alonso said when asked about his future, according to The Associated Press. "I love New York. I love this team. I love playing in Queens. This group is really special, and the memories that we've created together are just, like, wow.

"This is why we play baseball, to be able to get to have that togetherness, to be able to go far, face adversity and overcome it. ... I want more and more moments like this."

Alonso, represented by agent Scott Boras, is expected to be one of the top free agents on the open market after amassing a combined 226 homers with 586 RBIs and an .854 OPS over six years with the Mets. The 29-year-old went deep 34 times and posted a 122 wRC+ while playing all 162 games during the 2024 regular season.

Alonso's teammate, Brandon Nimmo, wants to see the four-time All-Star return to Queens.

"He means a lot to the fan base and to this team, and we'd love to see him back here," Nimmo said. "But also going through that process, I understand that it is a business, and he will end up doing what's best for him and his family."

The Mets led the majors with a $332-million payroll that'll cost owner Steve Cohen $96 million in luxury tax.