Part 5/8:
Timing has always been crucial in sports negotiations. The feeling is that if Alonso continues to excel, he may be incentivized to test the free-agent waters rather than settle for a lower estimate than he believes he deserves.
Furthermore, speculation exists regarding whether a labor strike could impact these negotiations further down the line. If significant issues arise in labor negotiations during the 2027 season, players like Alonso, who may be on solid contracts, could be in a better position than those who signed short-term deals.
It's a delicate balance: the Mets could risk losing Alonso if they don’t negotiate wisely soon, but initiating an offer prematurely could backfire if Alonso's performance fluctuates.