The New York Mets appear ready to wait out at least one more year of payroll commitments to Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander before focusing on the five-year World Series timeline owner Steve Cohen committed to in 2020.
However, looking ahead to 2025, they will also have to decide homegrown slugger Pete Alonso. They must determine whether to offer him a new deal, let him enter free agency, or trade him before the 2024 deadline to recoup some value. In ESPN.com’s fantasy baseball section, Eric Karaball predicted that the Mets would opt for the latter, trading Alonso to a competitor in the AL West.
In Karaball’s scenario, designated hitter and third baseman Mark Vientos would transition to first base, becoming the new Alonso. Catcher Francisco Alvarez would also contribute offensively, hitting a “team-leading 31 homers.”
Alonso, a three-time All-Star, signed a $20.5 million contract with the Mets at the beginning of the year to avoid arbitration.
There are reasons to believe Alonso may be traded by the end of next season. Mets’ President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, may seek a return on Alonso before he potentially joins another team in free agency, as he historically hasn’t prioritized extending players like him. Stearns has never prioritized first base during his tenure as Milwaukee Brewers GM, often opting for trades over extensions.
It’s also plausible that Vientos would assume the first-base role if Alonso departs. Since his call-up in May 2023, Vientos has shown versatility in playing multiple positions, including first base. Additionally, Karaball’s projection for Alvarez’s offensive output aligns with expectations, but his production would likely not match Alonso’s.
As one of MLB’s most prolific power hitters, Alonso’s performance speaks for itself. However, it seems unlikely that the Mets and Alonso will agree on an extension before the July 30, 2024 trade deadline. Alonso may prefer to reach free agency to gauge his true market value, while the Mets may not benefit much from signing him early unless he’s willing to accept a hometown discount.
