The New York Mets have a big void to fill at first base now that Pete Alonso is officially a free agent.
Will they re-sign the hometown slugger to a long-term contract, or could they acquire someone like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays as his replacement?
Alonso has been with the Mets since 2019. His 226 home runs rank third on New York’s all-time list. he is too declared how “special” it is. playing for the Mets. But now that the slugger is on the open market, anything can happen.
While it seems like a reunion makes more sense, there are predictions about Alonso’s ultimate fate that say otherwise. Only one in four writers thinks the Mets will re-sign him Annual free agency rankings from MLB Trade Rumors and forecasts. The other three said he would land with the Washington Nationals on a five-year, $125 million contract.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: Pete Alonso n. 20 of the New York Mets looks on after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 5 of the ALCS National League at Citi Field in October. January 18, 2024 in New York City.
Al Bello/Getty Images
If Alonso doesn’t return to Queens, how should Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns fill that void in his lineup? Anthony McCarron proposed the following four-player trade that would send Guerrero to New York during an episode of SNY’s Baseball Night in New York:
– Mets receive: first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
– The Blue Jays receive: shortstop/outfielder Jett Williams, outfielder Ryan Clifford and utility man Jeff McNeil.
On the surface, acquiring Vlad Jr. would fill the hole left by Alonso and then some. Guerrero hit .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs, 44 doubles, 103 RBI and 98 runs scored in 2024. However, acquiring a slugger like Guerrero would only serve as a short-term solution.
MLB Trade Rumor Projects He will earn $29.6 million in his final year of arbitration. To justify the hypothetical Mets trade two of their top three prospects For Guerrero we should immediately try to sign him for an extension. Spotrac estimates Vlad Jr.’s current market value for his next multi-year contract is 10 years and $259 million.
This also doesn’t factor into the Blue Jays’ offseason to-do list. if they are making a significant run to outfielder Juan SotoTrading Guerrero is unlikely to be a priority.
Inserting Guerrero into the Mets lineup is an attractive idea, but it now seems unlikely. It probably won’t be a serious consideration until Alonso signs his next contract.
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