The Mets have a number of high-profile free agents they are looking to bring back, and Juan Soto is hoping New York brings back Pete Alonso and Starling Marte.
Speaking at the MLB Awards in Las Vegas on Thursday, Soto was asked about Alonso’s free agency. The slugger is testing the open market for the second time in as many years. He eventually re-signed with the Mets this past February but opted out after putting together a bounce-back 2025, where he became the franchise’s all-time leader in home runs.
The Alonso-Soto, 1-2 punch worked out for both players — they combined to hit 81 home runs — and Soto wants to run it back.
“I hope nothing but the best and I’m excited to see where he’s going to end up,” Soto told the media, including The Post’s Mike Puma. “He’s one of the best power hitters in this generation. I really enjoyed my moment with him in a Mets uniform and I hope we can have more times to come. We can have fun together.”
Marte may not get the headlines of Alonso or even Edwin Diaz, but the veteran outfielder is a free agent after four seasons in Flushing. Although his Mets tenure was marred by injuries, he was an All-Star in his first season with New York (2022) and was a solid player for them in 2025 as a bench hitter.
In 98 games, Marte slashed .270/.335/.410 with an OPS of .745 to go along with nine home runs and 34 RBI.
However, Soto cites Marte’s leadership and presence in the locker room as big reasons the Mets should try and bring him back.
“You need a guy that helped you the most through those tough times and tried to bring the team back to where it’s supposed to be,” Soto said of Marte.
Whether or not the Mets have an appetite to sign the 37-year-old is unclear, but having an endorsement from your highest-paid player certainly doesn’t hurt.
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