How do NY Mets proceed in the wake of losing Pete Alonso to Orioles?
David Stearns has a huge task ahead after the Mets’ core has been disbanded following the departures of Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo.
Pete Alonso bid adieu to New York and Mets fans in an Instagram post on Thursday night.
After Alonso officially left the Mets after seven professional seasons and nine with the organization, the first baseman thanked the city of New York and several people within the franchise in a highlight reel set to his most recent walkup song “Layla” by Derek & The Dominos.
The mashup featured his first career home run, historic National League Wild Card-clinching blast and his long ball against the Braves that set the new Mets franchise record, before flashing to a photo of him in an Orioles uniform.
Here is what Alonso said in the post:
New York, thank you. These last few years have shaped me in ways I’ll carry for the rest of my life. This city demands your best and I’m proud to look back knowing I gave everything I had into earning the privilege of wearing that jersey.
I’ve been blessed with incredible teammates, coaches, trainers, staff, and countless people who helped shape me into the player and man I am today. I’m forever grateful for every person who challenged me, supported me and believed in me along the way.
Thank you for the passion. Thank you for the love. Even the tough love that comes with playing for New York. When it came time for first pitch, thank you for being electric through it all. Thank you for getting rowdy every time I stepped up to the plate and made the building shake when the ball found a seat over the wall. Your energy fueled me more than you’ll ever know.
You believed in me, and you made me better.
With love,Polar Bear
The 31-year-old agreed to a five-year, $155 million deal to join the Orioles on the final day of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings on Wednesday.
Alonso leaves the Mets as its franchise home run leader with 264 blasts and its single-season home run record of 53. His 712 RBI are third-most in Mets history, .857 OPS is tied for sixth and 23.3 bWAR is 10th in franchise history.
The Mets front office has a massive hole to fill in the infield after Alonso supplied five straight seasons with 34 home runs or more. He finished with 38 home runs, 126 RBI and an .871 OPS a season ago while playing all 162 games for the second straight season.