As the New York Mets navigate through yet another disappointing season, trade rumors continue to swirl around star first baseman Pete Alonso.
With the team struggling mightily, many are left wondering what exactly the front office should do with the valuable slugger.
Currently sitting in fourth place in the NL East while hovering around 10 games under .500, hopes for a legitimate postseason push seem unlikely for the Mets.
That shouldn’t exactly come as a surprise as owner Steve Cohen took a major step back in his aggressiveness this past offseason.
The Mets lack of activity leading up to the season led many to believe the team was in a way “punting” on 2024 and looking more towards the future.
With Alonso set to become a free agent following the season, the Mets have a major decision to make.
With no progress made on a possible contract extension, ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney highlighted the growing divide between Alonso and the Mets when it comes to his true market value.
“The big question that looms over the Mets is whether they will re-sign Alonso to a long-term deal before – or after – he reaches free agency in the fall,” Olney stated.
“Sources say that the Mets and Alonso are far apart in what they perceive his market value to be. If the Mets aren’t contending and they don’t work out a long-term deal with Alonso before the deadline, he’ll be perhaps the biggest name on the trade market – presenting the potential of an immediate power upgrade for any team that acquires him.
“He would seem to be a possible fit for the Astros, Tigers, Guardians and Cubs, among others,” Olney added.
The situation is compounded by the fact that Alonso is represented by the (in)famous Scott Boras.
Boras is well-known for taking his clients to free agency and milking every last penny he can get for them. (In fairness, that’s exactly what his job requires him to do … In other words, don’t hate the player, hate the game.)
Adding an extra layer to the situation is the fact that Alonso is having a sub-par season for his standards.
However, at 29-years-old, it’s clear that he still has great value.
(We’ll see how the tests turn out following his hit-by-pitch against the Dodgers yesterday.)
Since the start of the 2022 season, only Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber have hit more homers than Alonso, making him an attractive slugger for interested teams.
It’s safe to say that several clubs around the league would be interested (at the very least) in exploring a possible trade should the Mets look to deal him before the deadline.
The trade deadline is set for July 30th.
In fairness, the Mets have more than enough time to get themselves back in the playoff race and completely change this conversation.
Having said that, it would be foolish to think that the front office isn’t already carefully weighing their options.
Whether the Mets end up trading Alonso or not, one thing is for sure, he is in line for a massive payday following the season.
Opinions vary on just how great his overall value is, but the bottom line is someone is going to give him a significant contract.
Will that end up being the Mets? … Or someone else???
What are your thoughts on Alonso as a player?
Do you think the Mets should trade him before the deadline?
Everybody loves home-grown talent … Should the Mets look to build around Alonso being that he’s such an important core piece?
When the time comes, what type of contract do you think he’ll end up getting? … And from who???