After a lot uncertainty about his Toronto Blue Jays future, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is formally in for the lengthy haul along with his new 14-year, $500 million extension.
Guerrero Jr., who simply turned 26 in March, was slated to grow to be the highest free agent in the marketplace after the 2025 season, the place he doubtless would’ve commanded a determine just like what he obtained from the Blue Jays given his good mix of age and expertise.
However now that Guerrero Jr. is off the desk for the remaining 29 MLB golf equipment, a brand new door has seemingly opened for a distinct slugger this winter: New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
Alonso, as it’s possible you’ll recall, was speaking to the Blue Jays this offseason earlier than finally re-signing with the Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract in free company, a saga which dragged out for months. The 30-year-old’s deal contains an opt-out after 12 months one, which now turns into much more necessary within the wake of the Guerrero-Blue Jays settlement.
With no different main competitors at first base this coming winter, Alonso might be set to hit the jackpot in an enormous means ought to he choose out, and supplied that he continues to hit at a tempo near his present clip.
9 video games into 2025, the two-time Dwelling Run Derby champion has three house runs and a robust 1.066 OPS, each of which lead the Mets to this point.
Granted, it is unlikely that Alonso will proceed to rake at that degree over 162 video games, however one factor is for positive: he is as sturdy as they arrive, having by no means performed lower than 152 video games over a full season (not together with the COVID-shortened 2020 marketing campaign through which he appeared in 57 out of a doable 60 contests). And he is on tempo to grow to be the Mets’ franchise house run chief this season.
So whereas Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates his well-deserved Blue Jays extension, Pete Alonso may also be a dark-horse winner right here when it is all mentioned and achieved.
