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The New York Mets have traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo and seen closer Edwin Diaz and star first baseman Pete Alonso leave this offseason, but Bobby Bonilla still has faith in team owner Steve Cohen.
Bonilla, who spent parts of five seasons with the Mets, said it is in Cohen’s “DNA” to bring a championship to Queens.
“I know that Mr. Cohen, the owner of the Mets, will do everything in his power to bring a championship to New York. He has it in him to do it, he will make it happen,” Bonilla told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview on The Players Classic.
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Outfielder Bobby Bonilla (25) of the New York Mets is in action during a spring training game against the Montreal Expos at Thomas J. White Stadium in Port St. Lucie, Florida, March 8, 1999. The Mets defeated the Expos 2-1. (Getty Images)
Diaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the move impressed the six-time All-Star.
“Well, when Edwin Diaz left, I was like, “Oh, man. Wow, that’s impressive by the Dodgers.” It was just impressive to me (that) they’re not resting on anything, and I know that would be a big loss for the Mets,” Bonilla said.
Bonilla said losing Alonso hurts because he was a fan favorite. The 1997 World Series champion also believes Alonso will thrive with the Baltimore Orioles, saying Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a great place to hit.
“But it’s going to be hard to lose Pete Alonso, who is very much a fan favorite and he’s a homegrown product. It’s hard for Mets fans to deal with. I think they have to be patient. I don’t know why he wasn’t able to stay with the Mets, I’m sure he didn’t want to go. But he wanted to be hit in a great place, and he said he was going to be hit in a great place, Bonilla.”
“I don’t think Mets fans really want to hear that, because again a couple of home run derbies that he won, he was just exciting to watch come here. There were a lot of Mets fans that grew up with him and they just love him, so it’s going to be a tough transition for Mets fans. But Baltimore is going to love him.”
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New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, left, stands with Francisco Lindor after flying out with the bases loaded during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Miami, Florida, on Sept. 28, 2025. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)
While the Mets have lost Diaz, Alonso and Nimmo, they have also picked up some players. They acquired second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers in the Nimmo trade, who won a Gold Glove last season, former New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams to replace Diaz, and former Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco to replace Alonso. Polanco has never played first base in his career, but the Mets will start him there.
They also reportedly signed another former Yankees reliever, Luke Weaver, to bolster the back end of the bullpen.
In Bonilla’s 16-year career, he had a .279 batting average, 287 home runs and 1,173 RBI while playing first base, third base and right field.
Bonilla is part of The Players Trust, the charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association. The fourth annual Playmakers Classic will take place on February 18, 2026.
Proceeds from the Playmakers Classic benefit the Players Trust’s youth sports and education initiatives and the many other programs that strengthen communities across the United States and internationally.
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New York Mets right fielder Bobby Bonilla in action at the plate against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium during the 1999 season. (RVR Photos/USA TODAY)
Hever called The Playmakers Classic a “fantastic opportunity” to showcase the work the players are doing.
“It’s really a great opportunity, not only because we get to showcase the work that the players are inspiring and that the players want to see happen both here in the United States as well as far beyond,” Amy Hever, executive director of the Players Trust told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview.
“The Playmakers Classic brings together players, partners and fans to make a meaningful impact through the game we love,” Hever said.
