It could be a matter of when, not if, the New York Mets commerce first baseman Pete Alonso.
Commerce rumors have swirled round Alonso throughout the offseason however the Mets weren’t inclined to make a deal. Not solely had been the Amazins hoping to enhance over 2023, however in addition they wished to increase Alonso if potential. Joel Sherman of The New York Put up reported that the Mets supplied their first baseman a seven-year, $158 million deal final June.
A disastrous 9-18 Could has led the Mets again to being sellers. Alonso, who has produced a .239/.313/.473 batting line with 13 homers and 14 doubles in his 252 plate appearances coming into Monday, is well their greatest commerce chip.
He’s additionally set to be on the commerce block. Bob Nightengale of USA Right this moment reported that whereas the Mets have but to start buying gamers, the likes of Alonso, J.D. Martinez and Luis Severino, amongst others, will probably be on the block.
Alonso will probably be one of many greatest names accessible on the commerce deadline. Let us take a look at three potential touchdown spots.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have been linked to Alonso for the reason that offseason, with Jon Heyman of the New York Instances calling the Cubs “the apparent potential suitor.” Cody Bellinger had been pressed into obligation at first in 2023 and, on the time, was a free agent. The Cubs wanted to discover a center of the order presence and a viable possibility at first.
For a time, it appeared the Cubs had each. Michael Busch began the season white sizzling however rapidly cooled off, dropping taking part in time as he produced a .208/.337/.375 batting line in 86 plate appearances in Could, hitting two homers and 4 doubles whereas placing out 32 instances. Patrick Knowledge has gotten extra taking part in time recently however has struggled offensively. If the Cubs are going to make a run at a playoff spot, they want extra manufacturing from first base. Alonso might be the catalyst the Cubs want.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have additionally been linked to Alonso. In accordance to experiences, the 2 sides had been “inside area purpose distance” of getting a deal accomplished on the 2023 commerce deadline. As an alternative of continuous talks throughout the offseason, the Brewers signed Rhys Hoskins to a one yr deal value $16 million with a participant possibility for 2025 and a mutual possibility for 2026.
Hoskins has carried out moderately effectively contemplating he missed all of 2023 as a consequence of accidents, producing a .239/.339/.465 batting line with 9 homers and 5 doubles in 165 plate appearances. Nevertheless, he has seen nearly as a lot time because the Brewers designated hitter, with Jake Bauers listed as Milwaukee’s main first baseman. Bauers could also be a helpful utility possibility however just isn’t supreme as the primary possibility at first. Alonso would solidify the place and add one other impression bat to the lineup because the Brewers go on one other run to October.
New York Yankees
The Yankees and the Mets have made 17 trades for the reason that Mets began play in 1962. A 2001 deal the place outfielder David Justice went to the Mets for third baseman Robin Ventura is the most important deal for the 2 sides. Sending Pete Alonso to the Yankees, as unlikely as it might be, would take over as essentially the most vital commerce between the 2 New York groups.
Anthony Rizzo has not been capable of return to the shape he had earlier than his concussion points in 2023. His .240/.301/.360 batting line with seven homers and 6 doubles over 246 plate appearances just isn’t ok. With the Yankees harboring goals of bringing a World Collection again to the Bronx, they should discover a higher possibility at first. It could be a longshot, however Alonso might be simply what they want.
