REPORT: Scott Boras Brutally fires back at Steve Cohen after Mets owner ripped super-agent
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and agent Scott Boras are embroiled in a heated exchange over contract negotiations for first baseman Pete Alonso, with the Mets seemingly at an impasse. Alonso’s return to the team is looking increasingly uncertain.
Despite signing superstar Juan Soto for $765 million this offseason, the Mets have been unable to resolve their ongoing contract dispute with Alonso. Reports from December revealed a “sizable gap” between Alonso’s asking price and the team’s offer, and little progress has been made since.
Fans have been vocal about their desire for the Mets to retain their homegrown star, with frustration reaching a peak at the Amazin’ Day fan fest at Citi Field. During a panel discussion, Cohen faced chants of “Let’s sign Pete!” from the crowd.
Cohen didn’t hold back, calling the negotiations with Boras “exhausting.” He stated that the team made a significant offer to Alonso, but Boras’s counteroffers were not favorable for the Mets.
Scott Boras fired back at Steve Cohen amid Pete Alonso negotiations
Agent Scott Boras swiftly fired back at Steve Cohen’s remarks, defending Pete Alonso’s contract demands as being in line with comparable deals for players of similar stature, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic.
“Pete’s free-agent contract structure requests are consistent with the standards set by other clubs signing similarly qualified All-Star-level players,” Boras stated. “There’s nothing out of the ordinary here—just established fairness.”
Sammon reported that Alonso’s camp previously proposed a three-year deal with opt-outs and a higher annual value. In response, the Mets offered a three-year deal worth approximately $68 to $70 million, which Alonso ultimately declined.
During the panel discussion at Citi Field, Cohen reiterated his frustrations: “We made a significant offer to Pete. He has every right to explore his market, and that’s exactly what he’s doing. But this has been an exhausting process. Soto’s negotiations were tough—this is even worse. I don’t like the proposed structures; they’re highly skewed against us. If it continues like this, we may need to move forward with the players already on our roster.”
While clubs often favor flexibility in contracts, star players like Alonso increasingly seek shorter deals with player opt-outs and no deferred payments. Boras’s recent short-term deals for clients adhered to these principles, avoiding deferred money entirely.
Alonso, a four-time All-Star and the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year, has spent his entire career with the Mets since being drafted in 2016. With 226 home runs—third-most in franchise history—and a major league-leading 586 RBIs since 2016, he has cemented his status as a fan favorite.
Should Alonso depart, the Mets may rely on in-house options like third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to transition into the first base role.