Pete Alonso no longer has leverage in contract negotiations with his original team, the New York Mets, and may accept what they offer him, Jim Bowden predicts.

So, beyond revealing an exhaustion from negotiating with Alonso’s camp, Cohen’s comments confirmed a couple of other matters. One, in a world without Alonso returning to Flushing, the Mets may add more pieces. Two, the Mets are at least acting like they care about how much they spend.

Since signing Soto to a historic 15-year, $765 million contract, the Mets have set their sights on creating pitching depth. They have signed four pitchers, including bringing back left-hander Sean Manaea, who could impact the rotation in some form this season, and six relievers, including r e-signing right-hander Ryne Stanek.

Trading for Michael King would make the Mets' rotation incredibly formidable, removing perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding them.

The Mets have been hesitant to hand out long-term contracts to starting pitchers this offseason, opting not to pursue elite