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The New York Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo and saw star 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 was 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 courage to do it, he’s going to make it happen,” Bonilla told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview about The Players Classic.
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Outfielder Bobby Bonilla (25) of the New York Mets is in action during the 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 from the Dodgers.’ It was just impressive to me (that) they didn’t rest on anything and I know it 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.
“However, losing Pete Alonso, who is a fan favorite and a local product, is going to be hard for Mets fans to deal with. I think they need to be patient. I don’t know why he couldn’t stay with the Mets, I’m sure he didn’t want to go. But he landed in a great place in Baltimore and it will be a great place for him,” Bonilla said.
“I don’t think Mets fans really want to hear that, because again, a couple home run derbies that he won, it was just exciting to see him hit. There were a lot of Mets fans that grew up with him and they 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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Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, 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, September 28, 2025. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)
Although the Mets lost Diaz, Alonso and Nimmo, they also signed 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 are going to start him there.
They also reportedly signed another former Yankees reliever, Luke Weaver, to fortify the back end of the bullpen.
During 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 edition of the Playmakers Classic will take place on February 18, 2026.
Proceeds from the Playmakers Classic benefit the Players Trust’s youth sports and education initiatives, as well as the many other programs that empower communities across the United States and around the world.
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New York Mets right fielder Bobby Bonilla in action at home plate against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium during the 1999 season. (RVR/USA TODAY Photos)
Hever called the Playmakers Classic an “incredible opportunity” to showcase the work players are doing.
“It really is an incredible opportunity, not just because we get to showcase the work that players inspire and that players want to see happen here in the United States and well beyond,” Amy Hever, executive director of the Players Trust, told PK Press Club 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.
