Here’s something New York Mets fans might not have seen coming this offseason: Pete Alonso's contract talks are "worse" than Juan Soto’s, according to owner Steven Cohen. 

During an appearance at the Mets’ Amazin’ Day Saturday afternoon at Citi Field, Cohen was on a panel with his general manager, David Stearns, and manager Carlos Mendoza, while legendary broadcaster Gary Cohen (no relation) moderated the group. 

Before questions could be asked, though, the Mets’ faithful in the crowd burst into a "We want Pete!" chant, referring to Alonso, the free agent first baseman who has been a Met his entire career. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"Hold that for the end, OK?" Cohen told the crowd, smiling. 

The Mets and Alonso have had negotiations, but have not reached a deal after they signed Soto to his $765 million deal. New York has landed other players in free agency, but Alonso remains one of the top players on the market. 

Alonso was the team’s second-round pick out of the Florida Gators’ program in 2016, and he’s spent his first six seasons hitting home runs (226), including a rookie record 53 that aided his Rookie of the Year resume in 2019. He's also made four All-Star teams, including each of the last three, and has a career .854 OPS. 

METS GREAT DAVID WRIGHT OFFERS ADVICE TO PETE ALONSO AS THE FIRST BASEMAN REMAINS UNSIGNED IN FREE AGENCY

As a fan favorite, it’s easy to see why Mets fans are chanting for their first baseman to be back for a hopeful World Series run in 2025 with Soto added to a roster that also includes Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos. 

But Cohen, as he has been many times in the past, was transparent with the fan base about what’s been going on in negotiations with Alonso's agent, Scott Boras, who also represents Soto. 

"We’ve made a significant offer to Pete, and, you know, what David said is correct. He’s entitled to go out and explore his market," Cohen said. "That’s what he’s doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough. This is worse."

The Soto sweepstakes were a roller coaster, and it seemed like he was going to stay with the New York Yankees until Cohen came swooping in at the eleventh hour with an offer of a lifetime, crushing Shohei Ohtani’s record contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

So, with a record-breaking deal done, how could Alonso’s negotiations possibly be worse?

"I don’t like the structures that are being presented back to us," Cohen explained. "I think it’s highly asymmetric against us, and I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. There’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward, and we continue to bring in players. As we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have. That’s where we are.

"I’m being brutally honest. I don’t like the negotiations, I don’t like what’s been presented to us, and maybe that changes. Certainly, I’ll always stay flexible. If it stays this way, I think we’re going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with the existing players that we have."

Mets fans appreciated the honesty from their owner, giving him a round of applause at the end. 

Stearns added, "We all love Pete. And we've said that many times. I think as we've gone through this process, we've continued to express that."

SNY reported this week the Mets have a $68-70 million offer in "present day money" on the table. Alonso turned down a deal for more than $70 million when taking deferred money into account. 

The Toronto Blue Jays have also been linked to Alonso, but no deal appears imminent.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The New York Mets introduced their new superstar, Juan Soto, Thursday after outbidding the New York Yankees for his services.

During his introductory press conference, a reporter asked if Soto had talked to his former Yankees teammates throughout the free agency process.

"I haven’t talked to any of those guys. We talked to them through (the) playoffs, end of the playoffs. But, after that, I made this process. I haven’t talked to any of those guys," Soto said. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

In his press conference after winning the AL MVP, Aaron Judge said he hadn’t spoken to Juan Soto since the end of the World Series.

"The best thing is to really give those guys space," Judge said, according to Fox Sports. "I talked to him all season, and he knows how we feel about him. And I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family."

The bidding for the 26-year-old came down to the crosstown rivals, and the Mets won the prize of free agency. 

The Mets gave Soto the most lucrative deal in professional sports history, a 15-year, $765 million contract that includes escalators that can take it over $800 million. 

YANKEES SIGN ACE PITCHER TO HISTORIC CONTRACT AFTER LOSING JUAN SOTO SWEEPSTAKES: REPORTS

There is a player opt-out after the fifth season that the Mets can void by paying Soto $55 million per season for the remainder of the contract should Soto choose to opt out. 

The jump to $55 million annually would be a $4 million raise from the $51 million Soto will receive annually for the first five years of the deal. 

In addition to becoming the highest-paid player in baseball history, Soto will also receive a ballpark luxury suite for his family, four premium seats for home games and security for him and his family, according to the New York Post.

Last season, Soto finished third place in the AL MVP voting after having a career-best year hitting in front of Judge. 

The four-time All-Star hit .288 with 41 home runs and 129 walks, second only to Judge.

During the Yankees' run to the World Series, his performances were crucial in the ALDS and ALCS, which was highlighted by his game-sealing, go-ahead extra-inning home run against the Cleveland Guardians. 

Now Soto will take his talents crosstown and anchor the top of the Mets' lineup alongside Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.