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The New York Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo and saw star closer Edwin Diaz and star first baseman Pete Alonso depart 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’s in Cohen’s “DNA” to bring a championship to Queens.
“I know that Mr. Cohen, the owner of the Mets, is going to do everything in his power to bring a championship to New York. He has the ability to do it, he will make it happen,” Bonilla told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview about The Players Classic.
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New York Mets outfielder Bobby Bonilla (25) is in action during the spring training game against the Montreal Expos at Thomas J. White Stadium in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on 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 thought, ‘Oh, man. Wow, that’s impressive of the Dodgers.’ It was just impressive to me (that) they’re not getting any rest 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 and says Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a great place to hit.
“However, losing Pete Alonso, who is a fan favorite and a local product, will be difficult for Mets fans to handle. I think they have to be patient. I don’t know why he couldn’t stay with the Mets, I’m sure he didn’t want to leave. But he landed in a great place in Baltimore and it will be a great place to hit,” Bonilla said.
“I don’t think Mets fans really want to hear that, because again he won a couple of home run derbies and it was exciting to watch him hit. There were a lot of Mets fans who grew up with him and just love him, so it’s going to be a tough transition for Mets fans. But Baltimore is going to love him.”
TRUMP’S SUPPORT DRIVED A WEDGE BETWEEN FORMER METS STAR TEACHERS, SAYS SPORTS RADIO STAR MIKE FRENCH
Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, left, stands next to Francisco Lindor after hitting out with the bases loaded during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Miami, Florida, on September 28, 2025. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)
While the Mets lost Diaz, Alonso and Nimmo, they also brought back some players. They acquired second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers in the trade for Nimmo, 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 put him there.
They also reportedly signed another former Yankees reliever, Luke Weaver, to strengthen the back end of the bullpen.
In Bonilla’s 16-year career, he had a .279 batting average, 287 home runs and 1,173 RBIs 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 be February 18, 2026.
Proceeds from the Playmakers Classic benefit the Players Trust’s youth sports and educational initiatives, and many other programs that empower communities in 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. (Photos by RVR/USA TODAY)
Hever called the Playmakers Classic an “incredible opportunity” to showcase the work players are doing.
“It’s really an incredible opportunity, not only because we can showcase the work that players inspire and that players want to see happen both here in the United States and elsewhere,” Amy Hever, CEO of the Players Trust, told Pak Gazette 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.
