The New York Mets may still be basking in the glow of the Juan Soto deal, but there’s more work to be done.
After landing the 26-year-old Soto on a record-shattering $765 million contract, the Mets have to be considered short-list favorites for the World Series. But there are still holes to plug, including figuring out who will bat near Soto in the lineup this coming season.
First baseman Pete Alonso, a four-time All-Star and the Mets’ single-season home run record holder, is still a free agent, and it’s been 50-50 all along as to whether New York will bring him back.
One might think the Soto deal tips the scales in favor of Alonso heading elsewhere, given his projected $130 million contract (via The Athletic). However, the Mets are still owned by Steve Cohen, the richest man associated with Major League Baseball, so that’s not necessarily the case.
On Thursday, Will Leitch of MLB.com predicted that Alonso would re-join the Mets, creating a fearsome lineup with Soto, Francisco Lindor, and emerging star Mark Vientos.
“The Mets don’t necessarily have to sign Alonso,” Leitch said. “They could move Mark Vientos to first and go get a third baseman elsewhere”
“But with all the good vibes in Flushing, the simplest move may just be to bring Alonso back … particularly if a market outside of New York City municipal limits doesn’t necessarily emerge.”
Alonso, 30, has 226 home runs in his Mets career, despite only playing six seasons so far. If he re-joins the Mets in 2025, he’s likely to break Daryl Strawberry’s record of 252 total home runs in a Mets uniform, barring an unforeseen injury.
Having the so-called “Polar Bear” back at first base would be the cherry on top of a banner offseason for the fans in Queens. There are sure to be other interested parties, but what reason is there to believe any of them will outbid Cohen at the end of the day?
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