With two weeks until New York Mets pitchers and catchers report to spring training, free agent first baseman Pete Alonso remains unsigned, leaving their lineup somewhat unsettled.

Mets owner Steve Cohen was “brutally honest” regarding negotiations with first baseman Pete Alonso’s camp at Amazin’ Day on Saturday. “I don’t like the negotiations,” a visibly angry Cohen said.

Pete Alonso is left unsigned as the calendar approaches February, and fans are getting antsy about the prospect of the Polar Bear playing elsewhere come April. While reading fan emails on his Mets podcast,

The only reason we’re having this conversation two weeks after the Mets' pivot is that Pete Alonso has not yet found a home with another team.

So, beyond revealing an exhaustion from negotiating with Alonso’s camp, Cohen’s comments confirmed a couple of other matters. One, in a world without Alonso returning to Flushing, the Mets may add more pieces. Two, the Mets are at least acting like they care about how much they spend.

There remains two clear paths for the Mets with the start of spring training looming: one without Pete Alonso and one with him.

Just before Mets owner Steve Cohen answered a question about where things stand with Alonso, a homegrown star and free agent first baseman, during a panel discussion, a spirited crowd began chanting, “Let’s Sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete! Let’s sign Pete!”

There are still plenty of free agents waiting to sign and trade candidates waiting to move. There will be no shortage of activity between now and the start of camp. Here now are Tuesday's hot stove happenings.

Pete Alonso’s free-agent storm has been imperfect. He has been in the wrong place at the wrong time to maximize his value.

The New York Mets have been trying to bring Pete Alonso back to Queens, but no agreement has been reached. The Blue Jays could make a splash and sign Alonso.

Over the weekend, Mets owner Steve Cohen fussed about how "exhausting" the negotiations with longtime first baseman and free agent Pete Alonso had become. Just days later, Cohen is again in touch with Alonso and agent Scott Boras,