Over the past nine years, Pete Alonso has developed relationships with hundreds of players and dozens of coaches in the Mets organization. He has come to know trainers, public relations staffers and front office members.

Pete Alonso has a message for New York Mets owner Steve Cohen: “Sorry.” Cohen took the unprecedented step of talking about free agent negotiations publicly a few weeks ago, characterizing them as “exhausting” to a group of fans and media at the team’s Amazin’ Day event.

The Mets are the only team Pete Alonso has played for since breaking into the majors in 2019, and he said that as much as he wanted to return to New York, hearing from management they wanted him back helped seal the deal.

So Pete Alonso is back with the Mets and everyone is happy. The Polar Bear is happy because he never wanted to leave the Mets, especially after he grudgingly came to realize he didn’t have a market. Steve Cohen is happy because he got to appease Mets fans in bringing back their favorite son — at his price.

Alonso, 30, has spent his entire professional career with the Mets organization and ranks third for the franchise with 226 home runs.

The only thing Pete Alonso seemed to be remorseful about was that his contract negotiations all winter with the New York Mets were “exhausting” for owner Steve Cohen. “Oh, well, sorry Steve,” Alonso said with a grin.