The Polar Bear is getting a warm reception back in Queens.
First baseman Pete Alonso is re-signing with the Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Wednesday night.
And with that news, plenty of people associated with the Amazin’s — and even Mets-adjacent — were thrilled.
Mets third baseman Mark Vientos — who might’ve been the first baseman this season had Alonso not come back — simply shared a polar bear emoji on his Instagram story that included news of the transaction.
Howie Rose, the longtime Mets radio voice, put his perspective on the signing of the corner infielder.
“Maybe Pete Alonso plays just one more year with the Mets, opts out and leaves,” Rose wrote on X. Maybe he plays his entire career with the Mets. Either way, if he stays healthy, sometime this summer he should become the franchise’s all time home run leader. That’s pretty cool. Welcome back, Pete!”
The team’s TV play-by-play man, Gary Cohen, said on SNY that the Mets already won the offseason before Alonso.
But now they’ve ensured their place in the division.
“I think they are absolutely the favorites in the National League East, and the Mets won the offseason,” Cohen said.
Former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes made an appearance on SNY on Wednesday night before the news of the signing broke, and he spoke about the importance of Alonso’s bat and his ability to play most days.
Aside from the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Alonso has played at least 150 games every year since his 2019 call-up.
Last year, he played all 162 regular season games and 13 more in the postseason.
Reyes took a victory lap of sorts after his TV hit.
“THANKS TO ME FOR CLOSING THE DEAL ON SNY TODAY!” Reyes wrote on X.
Cavaliers superstar and Mets superfan Donovan Mitchell went nuts after the deal, writing: “WHAT A NIGHT” with five exclamation emojis.
Alonso and his 226 career homers will help form a formidable lineup that includes Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Juan Soto and Mark Vientos as the Mets look to keep pace in a competitive National League.
