Latest news with #Alonso
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Pete Alonso contract sparks backlash as MLB expert reveals Mets' biggest 2025 failure
Pete Alonso contract sparks backlash as MLB expert reveals Mets' biggest 2025 failure (Image via Getty) Did the Mets drop the ball when re-signing Pete Alonso? After a tense offseason of talks, the star slugger agreed to a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause. But one expert says the team showed disrespect by not offering a long-term contract upfront. Now, with Alonso hitting .292, driving 18 homers and adding 65 RBIs by June 27, many wonder if the Mets misjudged his value . Pete Alonso and New York Mets faced 'offseason disrespect' criticism Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly named the Mets' handling of Alonso's deal one of MLB's '10 Biggest Fails' of 2025. Kelly wrote that teams needing power left first base untouched in talks with Alonso, saying it was 'egg on your face' now that he's off to a career year. Alonso hit 34 homers in 2024 with a .788 OPS, showing postseason strength, yet still didn't land a big offer during the offseason. Alonso's current numbers back up Kelly's point: as of June 27, he slashes .292 with a .933 OPS, 18 homers and 65 RBIs, the best of his career. Kelly warned the Mets that once Alonso opts out, he'd likely seek a bigger deal, leaving New York out in the cold. Also Read: Seattle Mariners Star Cal Raleigh Shocks Fans With Home Run Derby Debut And Surprising Role For Dad Todd Raleigh Pete Alonso's strong season supports expert warnings Pete Alonso, age 30, re-signed with the Mets in February on his current deal that runs through 2026 with an opt-out after 2025. Early in 2025, he's already hitting better than ever. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Accounting Automation Software Might Help You To Earn More Accounting Automation Software | Search ads Undo He leads the National League in doubles and ranks top five in OPS (.933). This season also saw praise from Mets president David Stearns, who said Alonso's performance was taken 'to another level.' Stearns also noted that contract talks remain off the table . The short-term deal appears to have saved money now, but it may cost in the long run if Alonso leaves and signs a longer deal elsewhere. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Al-Ahram Weekly
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Madrid coach Alonso hoping Mbappé is 'back soon' at Club World Cup after illness
Mbappé was hospitalized last week with acute gastroenteritis and has not played a minute of the tournament so far. Despite being back in training, he was not even named as a substitute for Thursday's 3-0 win against RB Salzburg. "I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Alonso said when asked about Mbappé's availability for the round of 16 game against Juventus on Tuesday. Mbappé is one of the biggest stars at the expanded Club World Cup being staged in the United States and his absence has been a blow to a tournament FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to become one of the biggest events in the sport. Infantino managed to get Lionel Messi into the tournament when Inter Miami was granted entry despite not winning the MLS Cup and encouraged teams to try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during a specially created transfer window before the first game kicked off this month. Mbappé, along with Messi and Erling Haaland, is one of the top attractions, but his headlines have been limited to off-field issues. As well as his illness, he also made the news this week when it emerged he had filed a moral harassment case against former club Paris Saint-Germain. He unhappy with the way he was treated by this year's Champions League winner when he was sidelined after his decision not to extend his contract with the club in 2023. Mbappé is also at odds with PSG, arguing he is owed 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages. None of this is helping Madrid's bid to become the first team to lift the new Club World Cup and the golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. The 26-year-old Mbappe was Madrid's top scorer last season, with 43 goals in 56 appearances. He had been following specific medical treatment to recover from gastroenteritis, Madrid said, but has missed two games since being discharged from hospital. 'We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in the best possible condition," Alonso said. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Madrid coach Alonso hoping Mbappe is 'back soon' at Club World Cup after illness
Mbappé was hospitalized last week with acute gastroenteritis and has not played a minute of the tournament so far. Despite being back in training, he was not even named as a substitute for Thursday's 3-0 win against RB Salzburg. "I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Alonso said when asked about Mbappé's availability for the round of 16 game against Juventus on Tuesday. Mbappé is one of the biggest stars at the expanded Club World Cup being staged in the United States and his absence has been a blow to a tournament FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to become one of the biggest events in the sport. Infantino managed to get Lionel Messi into the tournament when Inter Miami was granted entry despite not winning the MLS Cup and encouraged teams to try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during a specially created transfer window before the first game kicked off this month. Mbappé, along with Messi and Erling Haaland, is one of the top attractions, but his headlines have been limited to off-field issues. As well as his illness, he also made the news this week when it emerged he had filed a moral harassment case against former club Paris Saint-Germain. He unhappy with the way he was treated by this year's Champions League winner when he was sidelined after his decision not to extend his contract with the club in 2023. Mbappé is also at odds with PSG, arguing he is owed 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages. None of this is helping Madrid's bid to become the first team to lift the new Club World Cup and the golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. The 26-year-old Mbappe was Madrid's top scorer last season, with 43 goals in 56 appearances. He had been following specific medical treatment to recover from gastroenteritis, Madrid said, but has missed two games since being discharged from hospital. 'We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in the best possible condition," Alonso said. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Short link:
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Xabi Alonso on Mbappé's return for FIFA Club World Cup: Don't want to get ahead of myself
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso still can't say whether Kylian Mbappé will be available to play in the next round of the FIFA Club World Cup after missing all three group games. Mbappé was hospitalized last week with acute gastroenteritis and has not played a minute of the tournament so far. Despite being back in training, he was not even named as a substitute for Thursday's 3-0 win against RB Salzburg. 'I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Alonso said when asked about Mbappé's availability for the round of 16 game against Juventus on Tuesday. Mbappé is one of the biggest stars at the expanded Club World Cup being staged in the United States and his absence has been a blow to a tournament FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to become one of the biggest events in the sport. Infantino managed to get Lionel Messi into the tournament when Inter Miami was granted entry despite not winning the MLS Cup and encouraged teams to try to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during a specially created transfer window before the first game kicked off this month. Mbappé, along with Messi and Erling Haaland, is one of the top attractions, but his headlines have been limited to off-field issues. As well as his illness, he also made the news this week when it emerged he had filed a moral harassment case against former club Paris Saint-Germain. He unhappy with the way he was treated by this year's Champions League winner when he was sidelined after his decision not to extend his contract with the club in 2023. Mbappé is also at odds with PSG, arguing he is owed 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages. None of this is helping Madrid's bid to become the first team to lift the new FIFA Club World Cup and the golden trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co. The 26-year-old Mbappe was Madrid's top scorer last season, with 43 goals in 56 appearances. He had been following specific medical treatment to recover from gastroenteritis, Madrid said, but has missed two games since being discharged from hospital. 'We need him and we want him back as soon as possible and in the best possible condition,' Alonso said.
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Vinicius Stars as Real Madrid Reach Club World Cup last 16
VINICIUS JUNIOR scored one goal and made another with a touch of class as Real Madrid sealed their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup with a 3-0 win over Salzburg on Thursday. The Brazil star opened the scoring after a superb defence-splitting pass by Jude Bellingham on 40 minutes and then set up Federico Valverde for the all-important second goal in first-half stoppage time. Gonzalo Garcia wrapped up the win late on with his second goal of the tournament, and the result means Xabi Alonso's team end the first round of FIFA's new tournament unbeaten. They go through to the knockout stage as Group H winners on seven points, setting up a last-16 tie against Juventus in Miami on Tuesday. "Vini had a great game. It's not just his goal and his assist that will stay with me, but also the sacrifices he made for the team and the work he did defensively," said Alonso after Vinicius scored a first club goal in nine appearances since mid-April. Salzburg go out as Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia progress in second place behind Real after defeating already eliminated Pachuca of Mexico 2-0 in Nashville. They play Manchester City in the last 16. Madrid are adjusting in the United States to life under new coach Alonso and were again without top scorer Kylian Mbappe, with the Frenchman thus far not having played at the Club World Cup as he recovers from illness. "We were really stable and really mature in the first half. We controlled the game well and didn't rush things," Alonso added. "There is still a lot to improve, but we are moving in the right direction." There was still plenty of star appeal even without Mbappe for the 64,811 fans who filled Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia almost to capacity -- they reserved their loudest cheers for Bellingham and spirits were not dampened by wet, fresh conditions as the blistering heatwave of recent days suddenly lifted. Alonso opts for back three Alonso opted, as during his time in charge of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, for a back three with Aurelien Tchouameni in between Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia played as wing-backs. Real won 5-1 when the teams met in the Champions League in January with Vinicius scoring twice, and the Brazilian was again heavily involved in putting the Austrian team to the sword here. He was denied by goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky when clean through on 20 minutes, but made up for that by getting the breakthrough as the interval approached. The goal owed much to a fantastic pass by Bellingham which found Vinicius in between the two Salzburg centre-backs. He held off two chasing defenders and scored with an early left-foot shot low into the corner. It was a 22nd goal of the season in all competitions and one that delighted those backing Real in the crowd. Petar Ratkov had a chance for Salzburg after Arda Guler was dispossessed just outside his own area, but Real scored again to make it 2-0 almost on the half-time whistle. When a rather aimless pass forward by Guler was deflected by Salzburg's Mamady Diambou, Vinicius pounced on the loose ball and continued into the area before producing a clever back-heel to set up Valverde for the goal. Salzburg now needed a favour from Al Hilal to stay in the competition although they did continue to make a fight of it and had chances to reduce the deficit in the second half. Nevertheless they were picked off on the counter as Madrid got their third with six minutes of the 90 remaining. A ball forward by Alexander-Arnold should have been cut out by Joane Gadou but the young defender's touch was intercepted by Gonzalo Garcia and the young forward ran through before clipping a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
