PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Pete Alonso's first experience with free agency did not transpire as he anticipated. In the end, however, he ended up back with the New York Mets, where he wanted to play all along.
"For me, this was it," Alonso said after the Mets' first full-squad workout Monday. "Throughout the entire offseason, we had the best dialogue from the Mets and that was it. For us, this was the best opportunity for me and I'm just really happy to be back. This was it."
Initially seeking a long-term deal, Alonso signed a two-year contract to return to the Mets earlier this month after a prolonged saga that included rampant speculation, blunt public comments from owner Steve Cohen regarding negotiations and an in-person meeting to reach the finish line.