Scott Boras defends trial after Mets owner Steve Cohen calls Pete Alonso “exhausting.”

NEW YORK – Pete Alonso walked out of the New York Mets’ Amazin Day at Citi Field on Saturday without attending the event.

Just before Mets owner Steve Cohen answered a question about where things stand with Alonso, a homegrown star and free agent first baseman, a spirited crowd began chanting: “Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete! “

Another chant then began: “Pete al-on-so!”

Cohen then quipped, “Consider this the end, OK?”

Cohen followed with a blunt assessment.

“We made a significant offer to Pete,” Cohen said. “He has the right to explore his market. That’s what he does. Personally, this was a stressful conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough – this is worse.

“A lot of it is, we made a significant offer. I don’t like the structures that are presented to us. It is very asymmetrical against us. And I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. There is always the possibility. But the reality is that we are moving forward. And if we continue to bring in players, it will be harder to fit Pete into a very expensive group of players we already have. That’s where we are. And I’m brutally honest.

“I don’t like the negotiations. I don’t like what was presented to us. Listen, maybe that will change. Of course, I will always remain flexible. If it stays like this we will have to get used to the fact that we may have to proceed with the existing players we have. “

The crowd applauded the answer.

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Generally, from a star player’s perspective, a short-term deal can be viewed as a concession. Therefore, for three years there could be a preference from the player’s side to have only player opt-outs and no deferred money. In Boras’ four short-term deals after the 2023 season, none included deferred money. On the other hand, from the team’s perspective, they may prefer more optionality on their side.

“Pete’s free agent contract structure requests are identical to the standards and practices of other clubs that have signed similarly situated qualifying/All-Star level players,” said agent Scott Boras. “Nothing else. Only established fairness standards. “

Last week, the Mets made a three-year counterattack on Alonso and Boras. It was rejected.

The Mets withdrew that specific offer after it was rejected, according to sources familiar with the matter. However, it is unknown if the Mets and Alonso have been re-engaged since then. Whether the door is open under similar or different parameters remains a question.

The Amazin’ Day crowd began chanting, “We want Pete!” Once Cohen, president of baseball operations, David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza stood for a panel hosted by SNY broadcaster Gary Cohen. When the broadcaster began asking a question about Alonso, he described it as the “elephant in the room.” The chants of “pe-te” then continued.

“We all love Pete and we’ve said that many times,” Stearns said, drawing cheers. “As we went through this process, we continued to express that. And we also understand that this is a business, and Pete as a free agent deserves the right and deserves the privilege to see what’s out there.

“We also feel very good about the young players coming through our system who are capable of playing at the major league level.”

Then, fans met Stearns’ words with groans and boos.

“We saw that last year. And that’s not always the most popular opinion,” Stearns continued. “We saw it last year and we’ll do it again this year.”

Without Alonso on the roster, the Mets would most likely look internally for a solution at first base. Earlier this month, Mets officials told third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to start with Alonso’s future and position uncertain for the club.

Vientos broke out as the Mets’ third baseman last year, replacing Baty at the position. Scouts said Vientos has improved defensively but still has plenty of room to grow. He also played first base in the minor leagues.

“I love playing third base, but right now my main focus is, ‘What can I do so we can get to the World Series and win a championship?’ ” said Vientos. “That’s what I want.”

On Amazin’ Day, Baty wore a New Jersey number – No. 7. He previously wore No. 22, meaning he needed a new number once the Mets signed Juan Soto. Baty landed at No. 7 because he grew up for Jose Reyes and Joe Mauer.

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Baty recalled Stearns telling him a few weeks ago, “We don’t know what’s going to happen” and to take reps at first base. The next day, a first baseman’s glove arrived in the mail.

Unlike Vientos, Baty is a neophyte at first base. He last played first base as a sophomore. He’s so new to the position that he said he hasn’t even thought about holding runners or taking throws from pitchers. He said working on his footwork in the pocket was the hardest part.

Baty sees any chance at first base as an opportunity to improve his versatility as he tries to win a job in spring training. Third base is Baty’s primary position, but last year he played second base after a midseason demotion to Triple A. He also played left field in recent seasons in the minor leagues.

“It’s honestly really fun,” Baty said. “I always pride myself on being as athletic as I can be. And I think athleticism, you can show it at any position, whether it’s first base, second base, third base, outfield, whatever he is. “

Mendoza stopped describing the first baseman to anyone. If Vientos moved to first base, a competition for playing time at third base would include Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio, among others.

“We have options,” Mendoza said when asked about Vientos being the team’s first baseman as things stand. “We have some depth there too. We signed Jared Young, who has experience. Joey Meneses is a no-purchase invite who has big league experience. So we have options there. Guys will get the opportunity. We’ll see what happens. “

Meanwhile, Alonso remains in free agency. Veteran and clubhouse leader Brandon Nimmo, also a Boras client, said he wasn’t too surprised to see Alonso remain on the market because he expects his longtime teammate to take his time with the process until he saw numbers to his liking .

“I would like to see Pete with us again, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions. That’s between Pete and our front office,” Nimmo said. “From what I understand, there were a lot of conversations between them. I still hope we will sign him. But we’re really happy with what we did this offseason. We have made our team a better team. “

Star shortstop Francisco Lindor added: “He should make the best decision for himself and not feel like he was caught in a decision. And I’m sure he will. Pete is smart. And he will get input from his wife and family and then make the best decision for himself. As he should. He deserves it. “

Meanwhile, there are less than three weeks left until the Mets begin reporting to spring training.

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(Photo: Harry Like/Getty Images)