Pete Alonso was born at the wrong time. For over 100 years, home run hitters were the highest-paid players in the game—defense, baserunning and ability to hit for average not required. Ralph Kiner, a prototype,

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that first baseman Pete Alonso is staying with the New York Mets, agreeing to a $54 million, two-year contract.

It is conceivable that Baty and Acuña alone could replace Alonso's home runs, which is to say nothing of what they stand to gain from their new center fielder. That is Jose Siri, who hit as many homers on his own last season (18) as the Mets got from all their center fielders.