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By Valentina Martinez
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New York Mets' offseason has been headlined by departures rather than additions.
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Two of Queens' biggest stars opted to sign with other teams in free agency. The first heartbreak of the winter was the loss of All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, first baseman Pete Alonso inked a five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
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Both Diaz and Alonso revealed it was relatively easy to join their new respective teams in their introductory press conferences.
"I spent seven years in New York. They treated me really good, they treated me great," Diaz said. "And I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization. I'm looking to win and I think they have everything to win, so picking the Dodgers was pretty easy."
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“As the offseason progressed and we got further along, this partnership was head and shoulders above everybody else,” Alonso said. “This park, this city, this team, this organization, everything combined. Everything just clicked. For me, it was the perfect fit, not just as a player but for family life, too. I can go up and down the laundry list of every single box this place checks.
Mets fans were left fuming with the departures of two All-Stars on back-to-back days, but on Saturday, the front office quickly pivoted with the signing of infielder Jorge Polanco on a two-year, $40 million contract.
Foul Territory's AJ Pierzynski explained why the Mets' signing Polanco seems like a panic move.
"This felt like a panic signing because they didn't sign anyone else and they're like, 'We gotta sign somebody to make our fans happy.' I don't know, it just doesn't fit. It doesn't fit what you think the Mets would be looking for. Maybe he'll prove me wrong and I hope he does."
Polanco is expected to replace Alonso at first base while also serving as a designated hitter. The infielder hasn't logged an inning at first base in the big leagues, which adds uncertainty to Polanco's success as the Mets' primary first baseman.
There's still work to do for president of baseball operations, David Stearns, but the signing of Polanco could aid the team's efforts in improving its defense from 2025.
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