The New York Mets have had a busy offseason, but more work needs to be done before opening day rolls around. One situation president of baseball operations David Stearns must settle is first base. Could he complete a blockbuster trade for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the Toronto Blue Jays?
Fellow right-handed slugger Pete Alonso is still lingering on the free-agent market. Re-signing with the Mets appears to be the most likely scenario. However, other teams could swoop in and steal him from New York as negotiations continue to drag on. If the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners or another squad finds a way to pry the Polar Bear away from Queens, Guerrero would be an incredible pivot for the Mets to make.
The 25-year-old is fresh off being named an All-Star for the fourth time in 2024. He also won his second Silver Slugger Award after hitting .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs, 44 doubles, 103 RBI and 98 runs scored in 697 plate appearances.
What might it take for Stearns to convince the Jays to cut ties with Guerrero? Metsmerized Online’s Christian De Block shared the following hypothetical trade proposal:
– Mets receive: first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
– Blue Jays receive: third baseman Brett Baty, first baseman/outfielder Ryan Clifford, infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitcher Tylor Megill
This would give Toronto two players who could immediately be plugged into the big-league roster in Baty and Megill. Acuña would also make an impact in 2025 and could be the heir apparent at shortstop for impending free agent Bo Bichette. MLB.com ranks Clifford as the Mets’ fourth-best prospect with an estimated time of MLB arrival currently set for 2026.
As for the Mets, they’d have an elite replacement for Alonso in 2025. However, it would bring uncertainty beyond that. Guerrero is estimated to earn $28.8 million next season, his final campaign before free agency. Spotrac has currently pegged the slugger’s market value for a long-term deal at 12 years and $427 million.
