LOS ANGELES — The New York Mets clubhouse was full of emotion following their Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS on Sunday night.

The hugs between teammates came after a valiant postseason run that ended two wins short of the World Series. But emotions also ran high because the team has about a dozen pending free agents, making it almost certain the Mets won’t return to the same roster next season.

Their top starting pitchers will all enter free agency, as will first baseman Pete Alonso. His six-year run in New York included 226 regular-season home runs – third-most in franchise history – as well as several long balls in the postseason that only increased his popularity with Mets fans.

Alonso battled his own emotions while discussing the team while being asked about his future.

“I’m really proud of what I was able to accomplish here,” Alonso said after the 10-5 loss. “I put it on display every day. I played my heart out every day…I just think about the group. We’ll cross that (free agent) bridge when we get to it. I love this team .I love New York. I love playing in Queens.

Alonso has played in every game for the Mets this year, hitting 34 home runs – a career low – although his 31 doubles are a career high. Overall, his 123 OPS-plus was exactly the same as in 2023, when he hit 46 home runs. He’s in line for a contract worth $100 million or more, assuming he wants a long-term deal.

“I haven’t thought about anything until now,” Alonso said. “I’m just a little shocked that the season is over. Once you start this playoffs, you don’t really think it’s ever going to end.”

It was a feeling that resonated throughout the locker room as players said goodbye for the winter – and perhaps longer. The trio of Mets starters who have led the team down the stretch — Jose Quintana, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea — have all expressed a desire to return, but know the feeling has to be mutual and that change is part of of the game.

“I have no control over this right now,” Manaea said through teary eyes. “I love my time here. I love New York. I love the organization.”

Quintana, 35, added: “I’m healthy. I feel good. I want to try one more time to win a championship. This is the closest I’ve come in my career. day, I will get the opportunity.

Players believe the Mets won’t be a one-and-done team, not with owner Steve Cohen openly expressing his desire to win a championship. Cohen huddled with Alonso and Manaea’s agent, Scott Boras, before Game 6, but the playoffs are not the time to make deals. It starts in November.

Boras also represents Mets designated hitter JD Martinez, 37. Martinez was asked what his future holds after signing with New York in late March.

“Pickleball,” he joked.

He also expressed hope that he wasn’t done with baseball. Last offseason was eye-opening as Martinez waited all winter for the phone to ring. This has never been the case.

“If it happens, it happens,” Martinez said. “If it’s not, it’s not. I’m not coming back because I’m begging to come back…I love hitting baseballs.”

Martinez played sparingly in the postseason, but hit 16 home runs in 120 games for the Mets in the regular season. He knows the task ahead of Mets general manager David Stearns given that nearly half the team hits the open market next month.

“Obviously they have some big decisions to make with free agents,” Martinez said. “We have to fill in the holes that are going to be missing next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do that and the team is back here (the NLCS) next year.”

The biggest decision comes from their first baseman, who has endeared himself to the team and the city during his nine years with the organization. Francisco Lindor may be the face of the team, but Alonso is its heart and soul.

“Pete has done so much for this organization, right from the beginning,” said teammate Brandon Nimmo. “He means a lot to the fans and to this team. I think that October definitely topped it off. He came through in clutch situations. He was vintage Polar Bear Pete.

“We would love to see him back here.”