The New York Mets can maintain their leverage in any negotiations with Pete Alonso by keeping their options open, and they reportedly are doing just that.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Thursday that New York has "discussed the possibility of other free agents taking first-base reps" as discussions continue with Alonso. Passan also highlighted the team's leverage since "there are no others in the market for a first baseman at $25 million-plus a year."
That New York seemingly holds all the cards follows similar reports in recent weeks.
Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post pointed out first basemen such as Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Burger, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Naylor, Carlos Santana and Christian Walker finding homes this offseason means there are few teams looking for high-profile players at the position at this point.