In the last few hours, reports have surfaced saying that the New York Mets are likely out on first baseman Pete Alonso and that they think he will sign elsewhere. If true, it will be the end of an era, one filled with power and clutch hitting.
Alonso broke the MLB rookie record for most homers in a season with 53 in 2019. Right then, you could see how was going to be a special slugger. Fast forward to 2025, and he has accumulated 226 long balls throughout his career.
He is a free agent now, but the Mets don’t want to overpay and he wants a lucrative deal with opt-outs, something that New York doesn’t want to include. It looks like both parties will go their separate ways.
This probably means that the Mets will now shift Mark Vientos to first base, opening third in the process. They have been linked to Alex Bregman, but he is also on the expensive side and there is no guarantee he will choose the Mets, or that the team seriously pursues him.
If there is no Bregman or any additional first or third baseman, the Mets will likely go into the season with prospect Brett Baty at the hot corner.
For years, Baty and Vientos were severe underachievers with lots of talent but a lack of consistency to put it all together. Thankfully for the Mets, Vientos finally broke out in 2024, but the world is still waiting on Baty.
Baty could break out if the Mets give him a chance
If the Mets give him the trust he needs and help him maximize his strengths, there is a chance Baty finally shows the world why he is still viewed as a top young talent around the league.
The 25-year-old lefty hitter accumulated a .889 OPS for his minor league career, but the number goes down to .607 in MLB.
He has 602 plate appearances of MLB experience, which is certainly something but not as much as you might think. If he works on his game with the help of the organization and receives regular playing time, there is a chance of a breakthrough.
As things stand, the Mets will go with him at third base, but he will need to hit to justify that choice.