Peter Alonso will Not Get Called Up by Mets

While the Mets can’t figure out how to score any runs for ace Jacob deGrom in Chicago on Tuesday night, a guy that could have solved that problem will not play in the majors at all this season.

Peter Alonso is enjoying an incredible season down on the farm.   Between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas, Alonso is killing the baseball, batting .277 with 33 homers, 111 RBI and an on base percentage of .393.He even stole the show at the Futures Game during All Star week last month.

Hell, the guy has even homered in three of his last six games for the 51s.

Yet, the Mets have no intention of calling up Alonso when rosters expand to 40 on Saturday.

The reason? Playing time according to Acting General Manager John Ricco.

“We didn’t contemplate enough playing time to warrant the call-up at this time,” Ricco said. “We are going to have Dom Smith, Jay Bruce, and we’ll have Wilmer Flores all playing some first base and to have Pete come up and just sit when we looked at it didn’t make a lot of sense.”

Ricco’s statements came well before Bruce botched a grounder at first that cost the Mets a 1-0 lead in Chicago Tuesday, and perhaps a chance to win the game. What exactly do the Mets need to see from Bruce, Smith and Flores that they haven’t already seen?

To be fair, Bruce just came off the disabled list, but he is best suited in the outfield, not first base. Flores is a very good utility guy, not an everyday first baseman.

Dominic Smith, on the other hand, is a total quagmire. He is a natural first baseman, but the Mets have tried to shoehorn him into the outfield to mixed results. He isn’t getting a lot of playing time at his natural position either, losing out to both Bruce and Flores. It feels like they have given up on Smith at this point.

In short, first base is a mess.

Alonso, himself, wasn’t too pleased with the Mets decision, saying that he felt he “deserved” an opportunity to play in the big leagues this season.

"I'm not going to lie, it's really disheartening and disappointing, because one of the things that people tell you is as long as you are successful, you're going to be in the big leagues," Alonso told MLB.com. "It's just one of those things where I understand it's an organizational decision, and at the end of the day, I have to respect that. But it's really disheartening because I feel like I've performed, and am deserving of a reward."

Alonso later took on his critics who have brought issue with his defensive skills at first base.

"I know people say I stink at defense. I'm going to let all those people know that I figured a lot of things out. Yes, there's always room to improve, but one day I'm going to win a Gold Glove (Award]) … in my heart, I know that's going to happen,” Alonso said.

Alonso’s agent James Wagner also chimed in delivering a slight jab at the Mets front office for not promoting his client.

“It is disheartening for Peter after producing an historically great season and exceeding every request from the Mets player development staff," Wagner added. "I'm sure it is equally disheartening for Mets fans who would enjoy watching and getting to know one of the most talented and entertaining players they've developed in years."

With statements like this, one has to wonder if the Mets made any concessions to Alonso, or if he and his agent are using this to draw more attention. It’s working.

Even with his struggles at first base, Alonso has earned the right to play in the major leagues this September. There is no future with Bruce, Flores or Smith at the position. Alonso might be that guy; it would have made sense to see what kind of talent the Mets have here.

At the same time, New York knows that Alonso is not required to be on the 40-man roster this year in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. There is no rush in their mind if it means protecting the player and keeping him in the fold longer.

Regardless, the Peter Alonso story will be on of the biggest headlines heading into the off-season and next Spring Training.