Mike Piazza has a big request for the Mets: Hang onto Pete Alonso.
The Hall of Fame catcher spoke on the state of his former team and Alonso’s future in Queens during a 9/11 remembrance event at New York Engine 280/Ladder 132 in Brooklyn on Friday.
“Rumors and innuendo is part of the game,” Piazza said Friday. “I think he’s a really great kid, great player. On the business side, he’s gotta work that out on his own and the team, and, obviously, I wish him the best. I tell players all the time you’re only worth what you negotiate.”
“I hope it’s in New York,” Piazza added. “I believe in my heart it will be, but of course, there’s work to be done.”
The power-hitting first baseman got caught up in the rumor mill this week when The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the team explored the possibility of trading him at the Aug. 1 deadline and got within “field-goal range” of dealing him to the Brewers.
The Mets held on to Alonso but otherwise went into sell-off mode, dealing away the likes of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, David Robertson and others.
Alonso, who has 39 home runs and 95 RBIs heading into Friday’s action, has played five seasons with the Mets, winning the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year and making three National League All-Star teams.
“I love representing this organization. I love being a Met,” Alonso told reporters after finding out about the report. “I love representing the city of New York the best way I possibly can. I love everybody in the clubhouse. Being a Met, it’s the only thing I know.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but right now I’m a Met. And I love being a Met.”
The 28-year-old is set to hit free agency after the 2024 season unless the two sides come to terms on an extension, and with expectations potentially much lower next year, there’s always a possibility the team decides it’s best to trade Alonso this offseason.
Though the Mets currently sit eight games out of the third NL wild card spot and 24 games behind the NL East-leading Braves, Piazza said the team still has the tools, which includes Alonso, to be a winning team next season.
“They talk about ’25 but I still believe in this day in age if you can put together a couple of moves in the offseason, solidify some of the weaknesses that the team has, you can be in it next year,” Piazza said.
“It’s going to be difficult …at least re-engage the character aspect of the team and how difficult it is to win and hopeful the — they have a good base. They have some good guys. [Francisco] Lindor, Alonso, [Brandon] Nimmo, these are good guys. They know how to win.
“But it takes a team to win and you need everyone having a good year together.”