LOS ANGELES (AP) — Pete Alonso seemed stunned that this season was over and perhaps his time with the New York Mets as well.

“I’m just a little bit shocked that the season is over because once you start this postseason run you don’t really think it’s ever going to end because we’ve overcome so much and we perform really well in big games . spots,” Alonso said after the Mets were eliminated Sunday night with a 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in NL Championship Series Game 6.

Alonso hit .273 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in the postseason. After making $20.5 million this year, the first baseman will be eligible for free agency for the first time and will turn 30 in December.

“I love this team. I love this organization. This fanbase has treated not only myself but also my family so well,” said Alonso. “I love New York. I love this team. I love playing in Queens. This group is truly special and the memories we have created together are just wow. This is why we play baseball, to be able to achieve that togetherness, to be able to go far, to face adversity and overcome it. … I want more and more moments like this.”

New York started the season 0-5 and was 22-33 before the lone players’ meeting in late May that followed the Dodgers series sweep at Citi Field. The Mets turned their season around and finished 89-73, earning the NL’s final wild card spot with a win in Atlanta the day after the regular season was set to end. They rallied in the ninth inning of Game 3 to win an NL Wild Card Series, then upset NL East champion Philadelphia in the Division Series to reach the LCS for the first time since 2015.

“It’s not easy to go through so many adversities, but we kept finding ways to get the job done,” first-year manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Unfortunately that was not the case this series. Now we’re going home. But, like I said, these should be our expectations, every year we have to play games well into October.”

In the fourth season after Steve Cohen bought the Mets from the Wilpons, New York led the major leagues with a $332 million payroll and is about to pay a $96 million luxury tax.

Pitchers Jose Quintana and Luis Severino could also become free agents and Sean Manaea has a player option he can decline to go free.

“It was a great roller coaster,” shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “We have achieved a lot as a team and as individuals. We became family. We’ve overcome a lot of things and stayed together, so I really believe something good is happening here. It doesn’t feel good to lose. It will stay with me for a while, but I feel like this year has made me a better person and a better player and I have grown a lot.”

Lindor is signed until 2031 and outfielder Brandon Nimmo until 2030.

Nimmo hopes Alonso will sign a new deal with the Mets.

“He means a lot to the fan base and to this team and we would love to see him back here,” Nimmo said, “but also going through that process, I understand that it is a business and ultimately he will do what is best for him.” him and his family.”

Nimmo said the stability of entering a second year under president of baseball operations David Stearns and Mendoza will be an advantage over last season.

“I really think this is kind of a starting point. We now want to set this as the default,” Nimmo said. “There are no surprising people. I think people will be a little more cautious next year as we get going, and that comes with its own territory, where everyone will bring their best game to try to beat you.”

JD Martinez, another potential free agent, was looking forward to the return of the core. When asked what was next for him, the 37-year-old responded with a one-word response: “Pickleball.”

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APMLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb