ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports signing Alonso would be a “perfect transaction” for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“As much as the instinct is to target pitching — and, no question, the Diamondbacks need more of that — putting a bopper behind (Geeraldo) Perdomo, (Ketel) Marte and (Corbin) Carroll to take advantage of the trio’s excellent on-base skills would give Arizona one of the scariest lineups in the NL,” Passan notes. “Seeing as one particular bopper can play first base or DH, two areas of need for Arizona, the fit feels strong.”
It gets worse from there.
Blood Rival In The Mix?
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports the Yankees should be in the mix for Alonso.
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“Free agency should work out better coming off a much improved offensive year and with no qualifying offer attached,” Heyman reports. “The Mets are emphasizing run prevention. But how would they replace the righty, 40-homer (the full-year average) power? Philly, Boston, Seattle, Texas, San Francisco, Angels and Yankees — he’s obviously proven he can play in NY — all make some sense.”
The Yankees chasing Alonso has been a bit of a moving target.
“A serious run at Pete Alonso seems unlikely with Ben Rice seemingly in line to take over as the full-time first baseman, but Edwin Díaz makes sense if the Yankees wanted to check in Queens,” MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reported last week.
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But last month, Heyman said the Red Sox will face competition from their blood rivals.
“I think the Yankees also, at least some people with the Yankees do like Alonso,” Heyman reported. “They have that first base open. Would they go for another big right-handed bat? I’m not positive on that one. I know there’s some light there for Alonso.”
Contract Predictions
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden listed the Red Sox, Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers as the prime contenders for Alonso, with an expected price tag of six years and $182 million.
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Heyman predicts Alonso will land a five-year, $165 million contract.
A five-time All-Star, Alonso was a free agent last winter and didn’t find a multi-year, nine-figure contract to his liking so he returned to the Mets, who gave him a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause.
The two-time Home Run Derby champion said after the regular season ended he would opt out of his contract and hit the open market, which he did last week.
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The 30-year-old Alonso hit 38 home runs this season, which was eighth-best in the majors, and drove in 126 runs, second only to Schwarber.
Alonso, a home-grown Mets star, spent seven seasons in Queens. This year he became the franchise’s all-time home run leader, surpassing eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry.
