When the controversy over MLB cracking down on pitchers using foreign substances became a thing in recent weeks, few probably expected that conversation to pivot into a wild conspiracy theory about changing baseballs.
But Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has brought us there.
Alonso took questions from reporters during Wednesday’s virtual media session, and when asked about his take on pitchers using foreign substances, Alonso said he wanted pitchers to use whatever they wanted if it helped them control their pitches.
Yet, within that answer, Alonso unleashed a pretty serious accusation against MLB. Alonso said the he believed that MLB changed the baseballs deliberately to manipulate free-agent markets.
Does Pete Alonso agree with MLB cracking down on illegal sticky substances used by pitchers?
"Absolutely not.
I'd rather guys have as much stick as possible and focus on throwing the ball in the box as opposed to taking it away from them" pic.twitter.com/zVkyAfMLve
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 9, 2021
He went on to say that many players share that belief.
Pete Alonso posits that MLB changes the baseball based on free agent class:
"That's a fact. In 2019 there was a huge class of free agent pitchers…it's not a coincidence" pic.twitter.com/OnRHmFAxBf
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 9, 2021
Here is Mets first baseman Pete Alonso’s full answer on his point that MLB manipulates the baseballs based on free agent class. pic.twitter.com/mffNI6p99h
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) June 9, 2021
As far as sports conspiracies go, that’s an awfully elaborate one from Alonso. He’s adding a layer to the obviously juiced baseballs of 2019 and saying that MLB changed the baseballs to impact contract negotiations rather than the more basic theory of “MLB juiced the baseballs because fans want to see dingers.”
Really, though, the main takeaway here should be that CBA negotiations are going to be seriously contentious as the possibility of a work stoppage looms. If a lot of MLB players truly believe in what Alonso was saying, then it could get worse than we all thought.
