The advantage is all in the Mets’ favor right now.
The MLB free agent market for first basemen is moving quickly. In a matter of hours on Saturday, Paul Goldschmidt signed with the New York Yankees, Josh Naylor was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Carlos Santana was signed by the Cleveland Guardians to replace Naylor. All three were viable and realistic options for the New York Mets if they felt Pete Alonso wasn’t the correct match for them either in skill or dollar amount.
Three teams in need of a first baseman got a new one on Saturday. With the Houston Astros also locked in with Christian Walker, the Mets have Alonso in a proverbial headlock.
Pete Alonso needs the Mets more than they need him right now
The right move remains re-signing Alonso. Undoubtedly about to get something closer to $100 million than $200 million as a free agent, his options are running dry with the Mets still unmoved at the position with the big internal option of moving Mark Vientos to first base should they choose to.
Other opportunities are out there. The Washington Nationals, in an attempt to finally start competing, remain a fit for Alonso. The Seattle Mariners wouldn’t be a bad place to end up. They desperately need offense. The loss of Santana gives the Minnesota Twins some incentive to add power back into their lineup as well.
Situations can change quickly for some other ball clubs. A trade can open up room for some ball clubs to have the need or more of a desire to sign Alonso. The absolute biggest situation of all would be if the Toronto Blue Jays were to give into the idea of trading Vladimir Guerrero and replacing him immediately with Alonso. It seems more likely that they try to retain him for as long as possible and at least try to compete this coming year with him at first base.
Alonso never had a great free agent market, but it’s now looking worse after on wintry day in December. Does he sign for a team hoping to be on the rise like the Nationals? Would a shorter contract with the Mariners be tantalizing enough when no one on their roster seemed to hit at all last year?
David Stearns isn’t about to say “uncle” to Scott Boras’ demands. This is something he has shown he’s willing to wait out until Alonso’s list of suitors turns completely blue.
