Three landing spots for Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
It may be a matter of when, not if, the New York Mets trade first baseman Pete Alonso.
Trade rumors have swirled around Alonso during the offseason but the Mets were not inclined to make a deal. Not only were the Amazins hoping to improve over 2023, but they also wanted to extend Alonso if possible. Joel Sherman of The New York Post reported that the Mets offered their first baseman a seven-year, $158 million deal last June.
A disastrous 9-18 May has led the Mets back to being sellers. Alonso, who has produced a .239/.313/.473 batting line with 13 homers and 14 doubles in his 252 plate appearances entering Monday, is easily their biggest trade chip.
He is also set to be on the trade block. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that while the Mets have yet to begin shopping players, the likes of Alonso, J.D. Martinez and Luis Severino, amongst others, will be on the block.
Alonso will be one of the biggest names available at the trade deadline. Let’s look at three possible landing spots.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have been linked to Alonso since the offseason, with Jon Heyman of the New York Times calling the Cubs “the obvious potential suitor.” Cody Bellinger had been pressed into duty at first in 2023 and, at the time, was a free agent. The Cubs needed to find a middle of the order presence and a viable option at first.
For a time, it appeared the Cubs had both. Michael Busch started the season white hot but quickly cooled off, losing playing time as he produced a .208/.337/.375 batting line in 86 plate appearances in May, hitting two homers and four doubles while striking out 32 times. Patrick Wisdom has gotten more playing time lately but has struggled offensively. If the Cubs are going to make a run at a playoff spot, they need more production from first base. Alonso could be the catalyst the Cubs need.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have also been linked to Alonso. According to reports, the two sides were “within field goal distance” of getting a deal done at the 2023 trade deadline. Instead of continuing talks during the offseason, the Brewers signed Rhys Hoskins to a one year deal worth $16 million with a player option for 2025 and a mutual option for 2026.
Hoskins has performed reasonably well considering he missed all of 2023 due to injuries, producing a .239/.339/.465 batting line with nine homers and five doubles in 165 plate appearances. However, he has seen almost as much time as the Brewers designated hitter, with Jake Bauers listed as Milwaukee’s primary first baseman. Bauers may be a useful utility option but is not ideal as the main option at first. Alonso would solidify the position and add another impact bat to the lineup as the Brewers go on another run to October.
New York Yankees
The Yankees and the Mets have made 17 trades since the Mets started play in 1962. A 2001 deal where outfielder David Justice went to the Mets for third baseman Robin Ventura is the biggest deal for the two sides. Sending Pete Alonso to the Yankees, as unlikely as it may be, would take over as the most significant trade between the two New York teams.
Anthony Rizzo has not been able to return to the form he had before his concussion issues in 2023. His .240/.301/.360 batting line with seven homers and six doubles over 246 plate appearances is not good enough. With the Yankees harboring dreams of bringing a World Series back to the Bronx, they need to find a better option at first. It may be a longshot, but Alonso could be just what they need.
