While the New York Mets chase free agent outfielder Juan Soto, president of baseball operations David Stearns also has a hole to fill at first base. That spot of the diamond has been occupied by Pete Alonso since 2019, but he's also a free agent.
A reunion between both sides on a multi-year deal still appears to be a likely scenario. However, anything can happen once a player hits the open market and fields interest from rival teams.
Alonso is coming off a down year in 2024 by his standards. Many teams would still gladly take his production, which included a .788 OPS, 34 home runs, 88 RBI and 91 runs scored in 695 plate appearances. He also put together big numbers during the Mets' postseason run, resulting in a .999 OPS in 58 trips to the plate.
Spotrac has pegged the right-handed slugger's market value at six years and $174 million. Since he'll be a 30-year-old first baseman in 2025 and could become a full-time designated hitter by the end of his next contract, other projections are lower. The Athletic's Tim Britton is projecting a five-year, $140 million pact for Alonso this winter.
The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros have been linked to the slugger because each club has an obvious need to fill at first base. Which American League West club could steal him away from New York? Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb of The Score is predicting it'll be the Astros.
"Alonso will stabilize what's been a revolving door at first base for the Astros and is an obvious upgrade over Jon Singleton," he wrote. "Alonso's signing signals that Houston isn't ready to shut the door on this remarkable era for the franchise just yet and serves as a precursor to other big moves this winter."
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