Somebody had to blink first.
For months, Mets owner Steve Cohen and mega-agent Scott Boras were locked in a high-stakes staring contest over first baseman Pete Alonso. Alonso, a first-time free agent, was seeking a long-term pact commensurate with his status as one of the game’s top power hitters.
In June 2023, while represented by a different agency, Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension. His hiring of Boras in October of that year was supposed to ensure a more massive payday.
But the market never materialized.
By New Year’s Day, it was clear that Alonso, 30, would be forced to settle for a shorter deal.