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 have been the Amazins hoping to enhance over 2023, however in addition they wished to increase Alonso if doable. Joel Sherman of The New York Submit reported that the Mets supplied their first baseman a seven-year, $158 million deal final June.
A disastrous 9-18 Might 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 definitely their greatest commerce chip.
He’s additionally set to be on the commerce block. Bob Nightengale of USA Right now reported that whereas the Mets have but to start buying gamers, the likes of Alonso, J.D. Martinez and Luis Severino, amongst others, will likely be on the block.
Alonso will likely be one of many greatest names obtainable on the commerce deadline. Let us take a look at three doable touchdown spots.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have been linked to Alonso for the reason that offseason, with Jon Heyman of the New York Occasions calling the Cubs “the plain potential suitor.” Cody Bellinger had been pressed into responsibility 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 scorching however rapidly cooled off, dropping taking part in time as he produced a .208/.337/.375 batting line in 86 plate appearances in Might, hitting two homers and 4 doubles whereas hanging out 32 occasions. Patrick Knowledge has gotten extra taking part in time currently 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 could possibly be the catalyst the Cubs want.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have additionally been linked to Alonso. In accordance with stories, the 2 sides have been “inside area purpose distance” of getting a deal accomplished on the 2023 commerce deadline. As a substitute of continuous talks throughout the offseason, the Brewers signed Rhys Hoskins to a one 12 months deal price $16 million with a participant possibility for 2025 and a mutual possibility for 2026.
Hoskins has carried out moderately properly 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. Nonetheless, he has seen virtually as a lot time because the Brewers designated hitter, with Jake Bauers listed as Milwaukee’s major first baseman. Bauers could also be a helpful utility possibility however will not be very best as the principle possibility at first. Alonso would solidify the place and add one other affect 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 largest deal for the 2 sides. Sending Pete Alonso to the Yankees, as unlikely as it could 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 will not be adequate. With the Yankees harboring goals of bringing a World Sequence again to the Bronx, they should discover a higher possibility at first. It could be a protracted shot, however Alonso could possibly be simply what they want.
