Although the New York Mets are involved in the Juan Soto free agency sweepstakes, president of baseball operations David Stearns has other roster issues to address. There’s a hole at first base since homegrown slugger Pete Alonso is also on the open market. If the Polar Bear doesn’t return to Queens, what kind of alternatives are available for the Mets?

There are other players to pursue via free agency, including Christian Walker and Paul Goldschmidt. The club could also get creative by signing Alex Bregman or Willy Adames to play third base and shift Mark Vientos over to first.

Filling this hole via the trade market is another idea. One of the most prominent position players available on that front is Chicago Cubs outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. He signed a three-year, $80 million deal in February to stay in the Windy City and decided against opting out to re-test free agency this winter.

While Bellinger wants to stay with the Cubs, the organization may not feel the same way. The Mets are seen as the “clear cut favorite” to land Soto. While New York could afford both Soto and Alonso, it might not happen.

If the Mets do need a new first baseman, FanSided’s Joshua Ambroise thinks Stearns should target Bellinger to take his place. The 2019 National League MVP Award winner slashed .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs, 23 doubles, 78 RBI and 72 runs scored in 2024 for the Cubs. That would be a drop-off in the power department compared to Alonso, but he certainly would be a solid offensive contributor and has a good defensive reputation.

He also knows a thing or two about playing in a big market and performing in October. “Bellinger even understands the tasks of handling the big market teams. Before he was a Cub, Cody spent the first six seasons in Dodgers uniform,” Ambroise wrote. “He won multiple honor awards which includes the NL Rookie of the Year, NLCS MVP, NL MVP and a World Series championship. Handling another big-market team like New York shouldn’t pose a problem, as history has shown.”