In New York, veteran columnist Jon Heyman of the New York Post stands out as a knowledgeable voice in baseball circles. While Heyman acknowledges the slim chances as MLB’s Opening Day approaches, he envisions a scenario where the Mets consider putting slugger Pete Alonso on the trade block this year. Heyman specifically points out the Chicago Cubs as a potential interested party.
In his pre-2024 MLB season predictions column, Heyman anticipates Alonso becoming a significant storyline in the upcoming season. While trading Alonso wouldn’t be an easy decision for the Mets, especially after parting ways with star pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer last July, Heyman suggests that it might be prudent given the potential challenges of re-signing Alonso next offseason.
Heyman suggests, “If the Mets find themselves out of contention, they may have to weigh the option of trading Alonso for prospects… It’s a tough decision, but it could be the wisest move, especially if they anticipate difficulty re-signing him. The Cubs, who reportedly have an interest in Alonso, emerge as a potential suitor, although several teams would covet a consistent 40-homer hitter.”
Alonso, aged 29 and a three-time All-Star, is in his prime. He’s been remarkably durable and productive throughout his five MLB seasons, consistently hitting 40-plus home runs. Despite batting just .217 last season, Alonso led the league in RBIs with 131 in 2022 and drove in 118 runs last season.
For the Mets, the dilemma lies not in Alonso’s talent, but in whether the overall team warrants investing in a player of his caliber or if they’d benefit more from replenishing their roster.
The Cubs, with the fourth-ranked farm system in baseball according to Baseball America, are well-positioned to facilitate a rebuild for another team. Given Alonso’s impending free agency, the Cubs might only need to part with one of their top prospects in a potential deal.
However, convincing Cubs owner Tom Ricketts to sign off on Alonso’s potential contract extension could prove challenging. Projections for Alonso’s future deals vary, with estimates ranging from a seven-year, $190 million extension to a potential eight-year, $225 million deal.
The Cubs’ interest in Alonso isn’t recent news; veteran Cubs reporter Bruce Levine previously noted the team’s keen interest in acquiring Alonso from the Mets, citing his power-hitting abilities despite strikeouts.
