The Juan Soto sweepstakes are overshadowing the importance of New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso's free agency decision. In just about every other offseason besides 2023 or 2024, Alonso would be a focal point of league-changing discussion. With Soto stealing the spotlight, that's not the case.
Still, it's important to recognize how much of a difference it could make depending on where Alonso goes. And it's far from a cut-and-dry deal sending him back to the Mets, especially if the Mets win the Soto sweepstakes.
Rather than return to the Mets, ESPN's David Schoenfield predicts Alonso will sign a six-year, $159 million deal with National League East rival, the Washington Nationals.
"They're an incredibly young team, and after ranking next-to-last in the majors in home runs, the Nats need a power hitter. Alonso would make a big statement -- similar to the Jayson Werth signing in 2011 -- and provide a veteran presence to help the young hitters such as James Wood and Dylan Crews while filling the hole at first base," Schoenfield wrote. "Keep in mind that Boras, Alonso's agent, has struck several big deals in the past with the Lerner family, the Nationals' owners."
The Nationals are a team that hasn't popped up on any radar in connection with Alonso just yet. In this case, it makes sense, though it seems like the total money is a bit low. I expect Alonso to land a deal around $30 million in average annual value, which would be $180 million over six years.
Either way, the fit with the Nationals works and it would make sense for Washington to steal from within the division. Adding Alonso to the young core already in Washington would be a great step toward turning the ship back around.
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