The Mets formally announced Wednesday that they agreed to terms with all 21 of their pre-arbitration eligible players entering the 2020 season, including Pete Alonso. And his contract was a record-setting one.
Before the slugger made own remarks, the Mets pointed out that Alonso's contract set a new record for a player coming off his first season. After being named the NL Rookie of the Year, an MLB All-Star, the 2019 Home Run Derby champion and breaking Aaron Judge's rookie home run record in 2019, it was well deserved for No. 20.
"First and foremost, I'd like to say thank you to the New York Mets for this gesture," Alonso said in his opening remarks. "I just feel extremely honored to be a part of this organization. I feel extremely blessed because for me this organization means the world to me. This truly feels like home."
Alonso was expected to be a key cog for the Mets last season, but no one expected him to mash 53 homers to lead the league and become a true leader in the clubhouse in his first 162 games. But that's probably why the Mets broke this record for a player that has quickly become one of the faces of the franchise.
"We got a number -- I was shocked and thrilled," Alonso said. "I'm just so happy we came to an agreement because I think the world of this organization. It truly is a blessing."
Alonso was asked if a long-term deal was ever discussed, and said he doesn't know as he isn't focused on that at the moment.
"I just kinda let the agents and the team do their thing for me," he said. "I was concentrated on just getting ready for the 2020 season. For me, my job is to go out there and be ready for my team to win a championship, so I didn't really have a part in it and not really too well-versed in the particulars of it."
Alonso still has four years of team control before he hits free agency, but the Mets will almost certainly ink a long-term deal with him before that ever happens. His first year of arbitration comes in 2022.