According to league sources, the organization reached that conclusion because Alonso turned down their offer of a three-year contract that contained opt-outs and included deferred money that would have elevated the total to well over $70 million. If he said no to that, the Mets thought, he must have a better deal elsewhere.

As Mets fans showed in 2024 with the acquisition of outfielder Jesse Winker, though, hard feelings can be forgiven. Does that open the door for New York to trade for Hoskins, who signed a two-year, $36 million contract last winter, if Alonso doesn't re-sign?