PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — On Pete Alonso’s first day of spring training Saturday, the New York Mets’ slugging first baseman answered questions for roughly 20 minutes, mostly about his upcoming free agency. He supplied some answers, saying there hadn’t been any talks with the Mets about a long-term extension, the only discussions between the sides centered on his one-year pact to avoid arbitration, and he loved playing in New York. Of course, the conversation and unsettled situation created only more curiosity.

To help sort out where things stand and why, The Athletic analyzed the biggest questions surrounding Alonso’s contract situation, based on conversations with league sources.

Why does it seem like the Mets have been content with Alonso’s playing out the season and then entering free agency?

They probably view Alonso as a player interested in becoming a free agent. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns last week acknowledged that Alonso’s hitting free agency seemed like the most likely outcome. That doesn’t mean the Mets won’t want to re-sign him. League sources expect the Mets to aggressively pursue Alonso in the offseason. In the meantime, they might think it’s unproductive for either side to engage in an extended back-and-forth contract negotiation when the chances of something lining up at the moment appear slim.

Also, with owner Steve Cohen, the Mets’ financial wherewithal allows them the freedom to let Alonso hit free agency in a way a small-market team, for example, wouldn’t be able to.

Did Alonso want the Mets to come to him with more than the settlement to avoid arbitration?

Alonso said he would have welcomed a conversation with the Mets about a long-term deal. During the general managers’ meetings in November, agent Scott Boras said he indicated to Stearns, “When it comes to the Polar Bear, we’re not in contract hibernation.”

But none of that necessarily means Alonso would’ve instantly accepted something, either.

“I know Scott made a pun during the Winter Meetings, but yeah, we sat back and listened, and definitely we welcome conversation,” Alonso said. “It’s just that the only conversation we had was about the one-year deal. But, hey, listen, I’m stoked to be here. I’m really, really excited, and I’m proud to play for New York. I’m proud to be a Met. It’s really a blessing. It’s a great place to be. It’s a great fan base. I love it here. It’s great.”

Why haven’t Alonso and Boras initiated talks?

After Alonso said he sat back and listened, the first baseman was asked: Why not just be proactive?

Alonso said, “That’s just what I think is right.”

Really, it comes down to leverage.

Imagine presenting an offer to your employer and suggesting the company should keep you for two more years at a particular rate. Chances are, you’re not going to secure any more years or value than that.

And it works both ways. If the Mets presented an offer tomorrow, the prudent thing for Boras to instantly think is: “OK, that’s the floor. What can we get in the open market with more teams involved?” This is how things have played out for Juan Soto, another Boras client, who once reportedly turned down $440 million and is now poised to land a lot more.

Even if Alonso wants to be part of the Mets for the long term, it makes little financial sense to work out something before hitting free agency.

How should the situation be viewed?

It’s all unsurprising, and for the Mets, none of it sounds particularly concerning — yet.

After all, just last year Brandon Nimmo, fresh off hiring Boras in October, entered free agency, only to re-sign with the Mets. Sometimes it works out that way. Sometimes it doesn’t (i.e., Jacob deGrom, not represented by Boras). And sometimes a deal can get worked out ahead of time (i.e., Francisco Lindor, also not represented by Boras). That latter situation requires clear indications from both sides about wanting it to happen. It’s a tricky dance. It’s hard to make the first move early.

Pete Alonso hit 40 or more homers in three of his four full seasons (not counting the shortened 2020 season), and in the lone season in which he didn’t reach that number, he hit 37. (Wendell Cruz / USA Today)

Does Alonso want to stick with the Mets?

Generally speaking, wanting to stick with the same team but first wanting to exercise free agency doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Taking Alonso’s words at face value, he sounds like a homegrown star who has enjoyed his five major-league seasons in Queens. When talking about how much he loves New York, he stopped short of saying he wanted to be with the Mets for the rest of his career. But again, that’s hardly surprising. Why would a player on the verge of free agency box himself into something like that? Thus, it’s hard to deduce much from Alonso’s positive words about the Mets beyond their literal meaning.

“I definitely have envisioned myself being a lifelong Met,” Alonso said. “That’s something I’ve definitely thought about. I love New York. It’s a really special place for my family and I. I’ve definitely thought of the idea and welcomed the idea. But I can’t predict the future. For me, I just want to focus on this season, and I just want to be the best person I can be. I’ve sat back and listened and just want to be the best player I can be. That’s it.”

What kind of deal will Alonso’s camp want?

League sources expect Alonso to look for a deal greater than the ones Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt landed in recent years.

In March 2022, the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Freeman six years and $162 million ahead of his age-32 season.

In March 2019, Goldschmidt gave up a chance to become a free agent and instead finalized a deal for five years and $130 million ahead of his age-31 season.

League sources believe Alonso wouldn’t be wrong for seeking more than those deals because of his age, power and durability.

Alonso is entering his age-29 season, and age is a key component in free agency. Boras did not represent Freeman or Goldschmidt, but he did represent Prince Fielder and Mark Teixeira.

Even though those examples were far less recent, it wouldn’t be surprising if Boras wants Alonso’s numbers to be more in line with what Fielder and Teixeira got. In January 2012, Fielder got nine years and $214 million ahead of his age-28 season. In January 2009, Teixeira got eight years and $180 million ahead of his age-29 season. Given those contracts are more than a decade old, of course, their price in today’s market would be a fair amount higher.

Perhaps front offices don’t view first basemen the same way they once did. In October, The Athletic asked a handful of scouts and executives to project how Alonso will age. The group mostly agreed on Alonso’s ability to continue supplying above-average offensive production because of his power through at least his age-33 season. After that, however, the evaluators mostly expressed some skepticism about Alonso’s mid-30s outlook.

Regardless, expect Boras to point hard at Alonso’s age, special power and durability. Alonso hit 40 or more home runs in three of his four full seasons (not counting the shortened 2020 season), and in the lone season in which he didn’t reach that number, he hit 37 home runs. All the while, Alonso has rarely missed time; he has played in all but 24 possible games over his career.

Is Alonso’s value higher for the Mets than any other team?

For the Mets, Alonso’s status as a homegrown star must be a factor — how much remains to be seen. But this won’t be a strict calculation based on production for the Mets. He means more. He requires more. He probably deserves more.

The thing is, none of that sentimental stuff would be part of the equation for a different team. Would the Mets value him less, then? Maybe not. Maybe Alonso’s power and durability alone fetch him offers similar to what the Mets would be willing to pay him. But if so, what impact would that have?

Perhaps that will get answered in the offseason.

— The Athletic’s Tim Britton contributed to this report.

(Top photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)