For months, New York Mets rumors suggested All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso would likely re-sign with the club and rejoin the Mets lineup for years to come. With spring training approaching, New York has seemingly closed the door on Alonso’s return and is now eyeing a bat to replace him next season.

Alonso entered MLB free agency hoping to land a $200 million contract, with his suitors quickly drying up. It left a return to the Mets as his best option, with MLB executives expecting a deal to be reached. However, when Alonso rejected the team’s final offer of $68-plus million over three years, the team moved on.

New York moved quickly to fill the void on its roster, re-signing outfielder Jesse Winker to a one-year contract worth $8 million. However, there’s an All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner in MLB free agency that the club remains interested in.

According to Fansided‘s MLB insider Robert Murray, the Mets are reportedly interested in free-agent hitter Jurickson Profar. He’s reportedly been on New York’s radar all offseason, viewed as someone who can both help the Mets lineup and clubhouse.

Profar, who turns 32 in February, earned his first Silver Slugger Award and All-Star selection this past season with the San Diego Padres. He set career-highs in OPS (.839), home runs (24) and WAR (3.7). The breakout season came a year after he seemed to find a home in San Diego, slashing .295/.367/.409 in 44 at-bats after the Colorado Rockies moved on from him in 2023.

He spent the majority of last season playing left field, with 148 of his starters coming in the corner outfielder. However, San Diego did deploy him at first base for 18 innings last season and he previously saw time at first base (31 innings) and second base (1 inning) in 2023.

Profar would add a reliable switch-hitter to the Mets lineup, also providing the club with significant versatility. Given his age and how long he’s been on the open market, it’s possible the Mets could land him on a one-year contract.