Pete Alonso is not currently the New York Mets’ first baseman. That could change any day, but the Mets would also be wise to start thinking of a Plan B.
After blasting 226 home runs in his first six seasons with the Mets, Alonso’s preference is likely to stay in Queens for the long haul. But he and the team appear miles apart on contract negotiations, even if few other suitors exist.
The Mets could replace Alonso internally by moving Mark Vientos to first base and opening up third base to youngsters like Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty, and Luisangel Acuña, and that might be the most cost-effective option.
But because the Mets aren’t concerned with the luxury tax threshold, they could look to swap out Alonso for a rental trade acquisition. That would also give them a shot at signing Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. when he hits the open market next winter.
On Tuesday, insider Andy Martino of SNY speculated that San Diego Padres three-time All-Star Luis Arraez, who is also entering his final year of arbitration, could be a trade target for the Mets to pursue this winter.
“Luis Arraez, linked this week to the (New York) Yankees, could also come into play as a stopgap first base option for the Mets, but that is a long way from becoming reality,” Martino wrote.
“San Diego’s suddenly contentious ownership situation has left other teams uncertain of the team’s offseason direction.”
The widow of deceased Padres owner Peter Seidler is currently suing Seidler’s two brothers for control of the franchise, so San Diego’s front office may not be gung-ho about making trades at the moment. But Arraez will be a free agent at the end of the season, so he could be gone by the time legal matters get settled if he’s not moved.
Arraez, 27, has a .323 career batting average and a .790 OPS in six seasons. He’s the game’s most elite contact hitter, even if he does few other things well, and his skills might be amplified by hitting in a lineup with Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
Is adding Arraez less complicated than simply re-signing Alonso? Of course not, but the longer the Mets can’t work out a deal with the latter, the more the door creaks open for alternatives like the former.
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