# The Mets botched the part that mattered

> Letting Pete Alonso go was defensible. Signing Jorge Polanco to replace him was not.
- Title: The Mets botched the part that mattered · New York Post
- Summary: Letting Pete Alonso go was defensible. Signing Jorge Polanco to replace him was not. Losing a franchise slugger is survivable. Failing to replace him with a…
- Keywords: mets, pete alonso, braves, first base, free agency, news, entertainment, botched, part, mattered, New York Post
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/12/sports/mets-failed-to-properly-replace-pete-alonso-and-it-remains-a-glaring-2027-problem
- Published: 2026-09-12T16:12:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mets, pete alonso, braves, first base, free agency, news, entertainment
## Freeman was bigger in Atlanta
Freddie Freeman gave the Braves 12 seasons, an NL MVP, and a World Series ring. For a franchise dating to 1876, he ranks among the all-time greats.

> He is among the greatest players ever for a franchise that dates back to 1876.
## Alonso mattered less
As much as Mets fans loved him, Alonso never carried the weight in Queens that Freeman carried in Atlanta. Yet Atlanta still let its guy walk.
## Same reason both times
Atlanta balked at the years Freeman wanted at age 32. The Mets balked at Alonso's contract length too. Two clubs, one identical fear.
## Both exits got ugly
Freeman's negotiation ended in discord and heavy backlash for pushing out a popular, productive star. The Mets got their own version of that noise.

> There was discord in the end game of the negotiation and tons of backlash.
## Atlanta had a plan
The Braves traded for Matt Olson: durable, in his prime, and strong on both sides of the ball. The hole closed the day it opened.
## The Mets had a question mark
New York signed Jorge Polanco, brittle, past his prime, and not a natural first baseman. That gap is still sitting there heading into 2027.

> a brittle, past-his-prime, not familiar with first base question mark
## Key takeaway

Losing a franchise slugger is survivable. Failing to replace him with a real everyday first baseman is not.