"Who is going to protect Juan Soto?" - MLB radio host makes concerning observation about Pete Alonso's $90M contract saga with Mets

Pete Alonso has been a big reason for the New York Mets' success over the last few years. He has been with the club since he was drafted in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

However, after the 2024 season concluded, he became a free agent. He has bet on himself by going on the open market and is looking for a nice payday.

The Mets reportedly offered him a three-year, $90 million deal which is a long way off his goal of obtaining a $200 million contract. The lowball offer does not sit well with WFAN host Sal Licata:

"You can say that all the first basemen are off the board and the Mets have the leverage now, but who is going to replace Pete Alonso in that lineup? Who is going to protect Juan Soto? I'm all ears, because I don't see any answers."

Licata does not see any replacements for Alonso. Especially now that Christian Walker recently signed with the Houston Astros.

"Outside of a trade, who is going to be the bat to protect Soto? You can't just say Soto is in so the offense is better," Licata said.

While signing Juan Soto was a huge boost, the offense will surely take a hit if Alonso signs elsewhere. And with how free agency has played out thus far, time is not on New York's side.

Sal Licata calls leaked Mets offer to Pete Alonso "disrespectful"

Free-Agent Slugger - P. Alonso (Photo via IMAGN)

There are not many free-agent first basemen out there right now. Outside of Pete Alonso, the next best option is Justin Turner, who is the oldest free agent 1B on the list.

With such an uninspiring list, Licata is not happy with what the Mets offered Alonso. he ended up calling the offer "disrespectful" if the leaked terms are true:

"If the Mets did offer him three years at $90 million, that is borderline disrespectful."

Licata believes this could cause Alonso to sign elsewhere. Why wouldn't he if another team offered him a bigger and better deal?

Alonso is coming off a season where he played in all 162 regular-season games, hitting .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 runs batted in. That would be a huge loss for the team in the Big Apple if the two sides cannot come to an agreement this winter.