Rating Mets’ Pete Alonso’s Prime 10 Touchdown Spots Forward of MLB Free Company After NLCS

In what has now been three many years value of the wild-card period in Main League Baseball, there are solely seven gamers who’ve led the majors in residence runs in a single yr and led the majors in RBI in one other yr: Aaron Decide, Álex Rodríguez, Chris Davis, Miguel Cabrera, Ryan Howard, Sammy Sosa and Pete Alonso.

Suffice it to say, sluggers just like the Polar Bear do not come out there in free company fairly often, and so they do not come very low-cost, both.

If he does find yourself leaving the Mets after they had been defeated in six video games by the Los Angeles Dodgers within the NLCS, it’s going to take some getting used to seeing him in numerous threads. Between the entire Playoff Pumpkin factor and all these taters he has mashed in House Run Derbies through the years, he has been maybe the face of this franchise much more than its $341 million man, Francisco Lindor.

So, do the Mets prime the checklist of candidates to signal Alonso?

And who’re the most important threats to show the house run King of Queens into their very own hometown hero?

Let’s dig into what it figures to value to accumulate Alonso earlier than rating the ten groups probably to get it performed.

Pete Alonso turns 30 in December. He made $20.5M in his closing yr of arbitration eligibility, and he has been one of many preeminent sluggers in baseball with 226 residence runs since his arrival in 2019.

Solely Aaron Decide (232) has extra dingers throughout that point, and we’re simply two years faraway from Decide hitting free company on the age of 30, recent off a final-year-of-arbitration wage ($19M) a bit under what Alonso received.

Do not count on Alonso to return wherever near matching Decide’s $360M contract, although. As a result of whereas Decide had a god-tier stroll yr with 62 residence runs en path to an MVP trophy, Alonso’s attainable closing yr in New York was a lot much less memorable—monumental ninth-inning residence run off Devin Williams within the wild-card spherical, however.

The Polar Bear did not have a foul yr by any means. He nonetheless hit 34 residence runs, good for Twelfth-best within the majors. However after coming into 2024, averaging 15.2 plate appearances per residence run for his profession, that price was 20.4 this yr en path to the bottom OPS of his profession (.788).

There have been reviews earlier this season that Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158M extension provide from the Mets in June 2023 (New York Post‘s Joel Sherman) and that he’ll be in search of not less than a $200M contract this winter (per USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale).

An eight-year, $226M deal could be a cool nod to his profession residence run whole.

Let’s simply say we do not count on Tampa Bay or Oakland to get entangled within the bidding, although. Alonso ought to be capable to get not less than six years at round $30M apiece.

Arizona Diamondbacks

With each Christian Walker and Josh Bell slated free of charge company, the Diamondbacks must do one thing about their first-base state of affairs. However re-signing Walker on one thing like a three-year, $70M deal appears far more doubtless than Arizona investing a ton of cash in Alonso, particularly contemplating they’re recovering from making Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez their highest-paid gamers in 2024.

St. Louis Cardinals

See: Diamondbacks, Arizona. Paul Goldschmidt hitting free company means a gap at first base for the Cardinals. Nevertheless, they is likely to be content material to let Alec Burleson arrange store there after he cut up his 152 video games between DH, LF, RF and 1B in 2024. Perhaps ‘content material’ is not the best phrase, however ‘content material sufficient’ with that answer to keep away from pursuing Alonso all that severely, significantly with Sonny Grey’s wage growing by $15M in 2025 and by one other $10M the next yr.

Baltimore Orioles

This could be a bizarre spot for Baltimore to make its first reputable splash into free company for the reason that final time it painfully determined to speculate 9 figures in a slugging first baseman (Chris Davis). They nonetheless have Ryan Mountcastle underneath staff management for 2 extra years, and their two greatest prospects (Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo) have each spent fairly a little bit of time enjoying first base. However generally you make unusual selections whenever you rating one run in two video games within the technique of getting knocked out of the playoffs.

Los Angeles Angels

By no means rule out Arte Moreno and the Angels when the secret is ‘throwing outrageous quantities of cash at a free agent slugger in his early 30s.’ The Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and Anthony Rendon offers all turned out to be disasters for the Halos, however that simply means they’re due for one to pan out, proper? Contemplating they’re nowhere near competition and nonetheless owe Rendon round $75M, although, they will in all probability go on Alonso and provides 2023 first-round decide Nolan Schanuel not less than one other yr or two to show himself as an on a regular basis first baseman.

10. Washington Nationals (71-91)

Present 1B State of affairs: Juan Yepez and Andrés Chaparro, each underneath staff management for not less than 4 extra years

Whereas Joey Meneses initially appeared like a diamond within the tough when the Nationals referred to as him up in 2022 to take Juan Soto’s spot on the roster, it has turn into clear over the previous two seasons that he is not the reply at first base. Neither Yepez nor Chaparro has established himself as a reputable long-term choice, both.

After 4 consecutive offseasons spending lower than $30M on free brokers, although, is Washington prepared to speculate round $200M in a single participant? And, if that’s the case, is not it more likely to be for a pitcher like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried than a primary baseman?

In the event that they do signal Alonso, not less than he has had a variety of success there, batting .304 with 15 residence runs in 48 profession video games performed at Nationals Park.

9. Colorado Rockies (61-101)

Present 1B State of affairs: Michael Toglia, underneath staff management by 2029

Talking of “success in that venue,” Alonso has triple-slashed .377/.424/.754 with six residence runs in 15 profession video games at Coors Subject.

And the Rockies positive might use him.

Over the previous two seasons, nobody’s first-base state of affairs has been extra of an outright catastrophe than Colorado’s. Houston’s José Abreu signing ended up being horrific, however even the Astros’ “as 1B” fWAR of negative-1.5 for 2023-24 was higher than the negative-2.7 mark the Rockies put up.

Kris Bryant spent some time there in every season, however nowhere close to sufficient to be counted on as an actual candidate for on a regular basis work at first base.

Proper now, it is just about Toglia or bust, and he has a .692 OPS in 192 profession video games performed with Colorado.

Would Alonso be sufficient to repair a staff that has suffered not less than 100 losses in back-to-back years?

Nearly definitely not.

It is a begin, although. And it would be enjoyable as hell to look at him attempt to hit 70 residence runs subsequent yr for the thin-aired franchise that by some means has by no means had a 50-HR season.

8. San Diego Padres (93-69)

Present 1B State of affairs: Jake Cronenworth and Luis Arraez

One offseason faraway from buying and selling away Juan Soto as a result of they knew they weren’t going to have the ability to signal him to a long-term deal, can the Padres afford to place one more nine-figure contract on their roster?

They’ve every of Manny Machado ($350M), Fernando Tatis Jr. ($340M) and Xander Bogaerts ($280M) on large offers, already placing them on the hook for over $100M in annually by 2033. In addition they have not-insignificant contracts with Yu Darvish ($108M), Joe Musgrove ($100M) and Jake Cronenworth ($80M).

Only for these six, they’re taking a look at $115.6M in 2025. Add within the $10M as a consequence of Robert Suarez and Spotrac’s arbitration estimates of $13.7M for Luis Arraez, $13M for Dylan Stop and $10.7M for Michael King, and also you’re as much as $163M for 10 gamers…for a staff whose 2024 Opening Day payroll for all the roster was $162M.

The Padres preserve popping up as a prime candidate to signal the Polar Bear, however I simply do not see it. In the event that they’re throwing a nine-figure contract at anybody, it must be an extension for Jackson Merrill.

7. Boston Pink Sox (81-81)

Present 1B State of affairs: Triston Casas

From 2000-2020, the Pink Sox had a top-five Opening Day payroll in 20 out of 21 years, the lone exception coming in 2003 after they fell about $3.5M shy of fifth place.

They’ve landed at No. 12 in every of the previous two years, although, doing mainly nothing this previous offseason apart from including two pitchers (Lucas Giolito and Liam Hendriks) who ended up not pitching in any respect in 2024. And they’re presently 17th in 2025 payroll—which does not embrace estimated salaries for arbitration-eligible gamers—however the Pink Sox haven’t got anybody projected for greater than $4.1M.

Are they severely going to stay a middle-of-the-road franchise so far as spending is worried? Or are they gearing up for a serious offseason?

If it is the latter, one must assume that pitching shall be their major focus after they allowed the eighth-most runs within the majors in 2024. However they do have a evident want for right-handed bats who can hit towering flies over the Inexperienced Monster. Solely 5 of their 13 gamers who hit not less than 4 residence runs in 2024 had been righties, and the chief of the bunch (Tyler O’Neill) is now a free agent.

Perhaps they might signal Alonso after which commerce Casas for some pitching assist?

6. San Francisco Giants (80-82)

Present 1B State of affairs: LaMonte Wade Jr., Wilmer Flores and, finally, Bryce Eldridge

For all of the discuss of the Giants whiffing/passing on the likes of Aaron Decide, Carlos Correa, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in latest offseasons, they did spend considerably extra this previous winter than each different staff apart from the Dodgers, agreeing to greater than $320M value of contracts in free company for Jung Hoo Lee, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman and extra.

But, even after re-upping with Chapman on a $151M extension final month, they might discover the room within the funds so as to add Alonso, because of buying and selling away Jorge Soler in July, Michael Conforto’s $18M wage coming off the books and Snell inevitably declining his participant choice for subsequent season.

Do they even need or want so as to add Alonso, although?

Each Wade and Flores are of their closing yr earlier than hitting free company, however 2023 first-round decide Eldridge is likely to be the reply sooner fairly than later. Save for Kansas Metropolis’s 2024 No. 6 general decide Jac Caglianone, Eldridge is the highest-rated first base prospect, per MLB.com. He simply turned 20 this month and is not more likely to crack the 2025 Opening Day roster, however he’ll in all probability be prepared by the next spring.

That is sufficient to maintain the Giants out of the highest 5 right here, though it is in any other case a logical match for a franchise that has spent the previous twenty years trying to find (and routinely getting outbid on) a reputable slugger.

5. New York Yankees (94-68)

Present 1B State of affairs: Ben Rice, Jon Berti, Oswaldo Cabrera and DJ LeMahieu

Between Anthony Rizzo’s poor begin and his subsequent 2.5-month stint on the IL, first base grew to become one thing of an “all arms on deck” state of affairs for the Yankees. And with it trying extremely unlikely that they’re going to train their $17M membership choice to carry Rizzo again in 2025, discovering an answer at first base is definitely a part of New York’s winter to-do checklist.

Whether or not they are going to go massive for Alonso, although, in all probability hinges on whether or not they’re capable of re-sign Juan Soto—which positive does look like the probably end result.

What in the event that they name Gerrit Cole’s bluff and let him stroll, although?

We have been assuming for a lot of the season that Cole will decide out of the ultimate 4 years on his contract to power the Yankees so as to add one other $36M season to the top of the deal. But when he triggers the decide out, it mainly turns into a query of whether or not they need 5 years of 34-year-old Cole for $180M or six years of 30-year-old Alonso for a similar value.

Ought to they go the latter route, it positive could be a terrifying few years with Alonso, Soto, Aaron Decide and Giancarlo Stanton within the coronary heart of the order, to not point out Austin Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jasson Domínguez.

2024 Report: 83-79

Present 1B State of affairs: Michael Busch and Cody Bellinger

It is no secret that the Cubs had been among the many groups attempting to commerce for Alonso forward of final yr’s deadline, and so they’ve been linked regularly ever since.

It isn’t onerous to see why, both. His energy would play splendidly in Wrigley Subject, the place he already has eight residence runs in simply 74 profession plate appearances.

What about Michael Busch, although?

Preliminary returns on Chicago’s acquisition of Busch final winter had been strong. The rookie ranked second on the staff with 21 residence runs, posting a .775 OPS whereas additionally offering good glovework at first base.

However was he “Thanks however no thanks, Polar Bear, we’re all set now” good?

Even when the Cubs now view Busch as a cornerstone of the franchise, it does not must be at first base.

He was predominantly a second baseman previous to this season and in addition spent a good period of time at third base in 2023, although struggled mightily within the fielding proportion division there. They may attempt him once more on the scorching nook, or they might put Nico Hoerner on the commerce block to open a spot for Busch.

That latter route’s a bit drastic, as Hoerner has offered them with a ton of worth over the previous three years, each along with his glove and along with his pace on the basepaths.

If that is the price of buying Alonso, although, maybe they pursue it. (Particularly in the event that they’re capable of commerce Hoerner for a strong catcher or a possible middle-of-the-rotation starter.)

The actual X-factor, although, is Cody Bellinger, who holds a participant choice for subsequent season and a participant choice for 2026.

If he elects free company, not solely does that shave $25M off the Cubs’ 2025 payroll, nevertheless it opens up the opportunity of Busch or Alonso turning into the full-time DH with Seiya Suzuki shifting again to proper area. If Bellinger opts in, although, Alonso to Wrigley does not make fairly as a lot sense.

2024 Report: 88-73

Present 1B State of affairs: Jon Singleton and Victor Caratini/Yainer Diaz

Just like the Yankees with Soto, Houston’s willingness/means to put money into Alonso doubtless hinges on whether or not it manages to re-sign its marquee free agent.

That is not to say there is a 100% likelihood the Astros will signal both Alonso or Alex Bregman, neither is there precisely a zero p.c likelihood they signal them each, as they do presently have gaping holes at each nook infield spots.

However let’s discuss numbers.

In Jose Altuve ($32.5M), Josh Hader ($19M), Lance McCullers Jr. ($17.7M), Yordan Alvarez ($15.8M), Ryan Pressly ($14M), Cristian Javier ($10.4M), Victor Caratini ($6M) and the $19.5M they nonetheless owe José Abreu, the Astros are already at $134.9M for subsequent season, plus someplace round one other $35M mixed for the ultimate arbitration-eligible years of Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker.

Even when the remainder of the roster is on league-minimum salaries—Jeremy Peña, Mauricio Dubón and a number of other others are definitely getting greater than $800k, however simply go along with it—you are taking a look at about $184M, sans Alonso or Bregman.

Nicely, they entered 2024 with a $236M payroll after spending every of the earlier three years proper round that $184M mark. Thus, they in all probability have room for one or the opposite.

Until they’re significantly involved about Bregman’s sudden sharp decline in stroll price, they will in all probability prioritize retaining the third baseman over bringing within the first baseman. However we will see.

2024 Report: 85-77

Present 1B State of affairs: Rookie Tyler Locklear and utilitymen Luke Raley and Dylan Moore

If cash is not any object and we’re solely speaking about who most wants so as to add a slugger at first base the caliber of Pete Alonso, Seattle maybe indisputably tops that checklist.

The Mariners kicked Ty France to the curb this previous summer season, after which they began 5 totally different gamers—Raley, Locklear, Moore, Justin Turner and Jason Vosler—at first base within the span of 9 video games.

Of the bunch, Raley was the most efficient in 2024 and is underneath staff management by 2028. Nevertheless, he is additionally mainly unplayable in opposition to left-handed pitchers with a profession OPS of .575, which is why they platooned him and Turner for the overwhelming majority of the ultimate two months of the season.

Notably, Seattle’s dormant offense did lastly come to life in September, so possibly they go the funds route, pulling at that thread with a season-long 1B platoon of Raley (.830 OPS vs. RHP in 2024) and Moore (.762 OPS vs. LHP in 2024), or possibly Locklear in Moore’s place in the event that they suppose he is prepared after some tough returns in 2024.

They may additionally return to the Tampa Bay properly and swing a deal for Yandy Díaz (profession .895 OPS vs. LHP), with plans of creating him the first 1B and platooning Raley and Mitch Garver at DH.

Or they might simply spend massive on a free agent like they beforehand did on Robinson Canó and Robbie Ray in hopes that, gosh darn it, the third time’s the allure.

On prime of the roughly $100M in identified salaries already on the books for subsequent season, the M’s do have some severe arbitration numbers to remember. Spotrac puts Randy Arozarena’s estimated value at $11.5M, Logan Gilbert at $8.3M and every of George Kirby, Cal Raleigh, Josh Rojas and Luis Urias within the $4M-$6M vary. Even assuming they will decline Jorge Polanco’s $12M membership choice, they’re already taking a look at an Opening Day payroll bit above the $135M-$140M mark they have been at for the previous two years.

However, man, they owe it to that beginning rotation to herald one other slugger, and so they may as properly lock in a $30M per yr slugger now, mainly pre-spending the cash that may come out there after subsequent season when Mitch Haniger ($17.5M) and Mitch Garver ($12.5M) are out of the image.

Positive could be neat of them to get Alonso, contemplating Seattle’s checklist of first basemen over the previous twenty years is about as miserable because the Cleveland Browns’ checklist of beginning quarterbacks. Per FanGraphs, France offered essentially the most worth of the bunch, and M’s followers had been prepared to assist him filter out his locker just a few months in the past.

2024 Report: 89-73

Present 1B State of affairs: Pete Alonso, Pete Alonso and Pete Alonso

Alonso began 159 video games at first base for the Mets this season. The one gamers who logged extra innings at one place in 2024 than his 1,412.1 had been Atlanta’s Matt Olson (1,443.1) who began all 162 video games at first base and the Yankees’ Anthony Volpe (1,416.2) at shortstop.

So, if they do not re-sign him, they do must determine one thing else out.

Now, it is solely attainable that ‘one thing’ is letting Alonso stroll, giving Juan Soto $500M, shifting this yr’s breakout star Mark Vientos from third base to first base—the place he did play fairly a bit within the minors and made two begins for the Mets this season—and roughly hoping for the very best with Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and/or Luisangel Acuña at third base.

If signing Soto is not possible, they might nonetheless really feel alright in shifting on from Alonso by inking Alex Bregman to play third base, shifting Vientos to first and maybe touchdown one of many out there aces like Corbin Burnes.

The trail of least resistance, although, is just re-signing Alonso and having fun with the present as he completely runs away with the franchise document for profession residence runs. (He is at the moment simply 26 behind Darryl Strawberry with 252 atop that checklist.)

It actually simply hinges upon how assured they’re they’ll get Soto. As a result of whereas signing each could be extreme even by Steve Cohen’s requirements, they’ve clearly been setting themselves up over the previous 15 months to do some severe spending this offseason.

The truth that they have not already gotten an extension performed is not of any explicit concern. He is been a significant component throughout their postseason run, and the Polar Bear staying in Queens appears infinitely extra doubtless than it did 5 months in the past.