Why Pete Alonso's Return to the Mets Remains Possible

Reports say the Mets have moved on but I'm not so sure

According to recent reports, the Mets believe that Pete Alonso is likely to sign with another team and have shifted their focus to exploring other options.

I'm not entirely convinced that's the case.

Until Alonso signs with another team or the Mets bring in a big bat to take his place, I remain convinced that a reunion between Alonso and the Mets is still possible.

Reports also suggested that the Mets signing Jesse Winker and AJ Minter is part of their strategy to move on from Pete Alonso.

Signing Winker and Minter should have no impact on whether the Mets will re-sign Alonso. In fact, choosing Minter over Tanner Scott has only strengthened my belief that Alonso will return as Scott would’ve cost more.

The Mets have plenty of financial flexibility. Prior to signing Winker and Minter, they had cleared more payroll than any other team in baseball this offseason. We know Steve Cohen isn’t afraid to spend.

A deal to bring Alonso back makes the most sense for both parties. The Mets are in desperate need of another big bat in their lineup. Right now, they have one half of a strong lineup, and the other half is filled with uncertainties.

Why would Alonso choose to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays, a team that has often fallen short in their attempts to land star players? We know Alonso hates serving as a designated hitter, and the Blue Jays already have their homegrown superstar, Vlad Guerrero Jr. at first base.

Yes, Guerrero Jr. could move to third base, but that's a lot of adjustments to make for a player in his final year before free agency. Plus, he's a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman.

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I don’t think recent reports about the Mets considering moving on from Pete Alonso are entirely fabricated, it's hard to ignore that his last two seasons haven’t been particularly impressive. His bat has gone from one of the best in baseball to just solidly above average. Additionally, Alonso offers limited value defensively or on the base paths, areas that David Stearns values highly.

When you look at the advanced stats, Alonso doesn’t appear to be worth over $20 million a year. We know Stearns makes decisions based on logic, not emotion, which is exactly what you want from your baseball executives.

Stearns likely believes he can make up for Alonso’s production through improvements in pitching, defense, and baserunning. However, what he can't replace is Alonso's offensive output.

I have shifted back and forth between whether I want the Mets to sign Alonso or not. While he has clearly regressed as a hitter, it's still a safe bet that he’ll be a productive contributor in 2025. The Mets are a stronger team with Alonso on board this year, but the concern lies with the years ahead.

I don’t think Alonso’s return to the Mets is off the table just yet. My prediction is that he’ll eventually come back on a team-friendly deal. There just doesn’t seem to be great alternatives for him.

It was intriguing that the Mets' offer to Alonso, reportedly a three-year deal worth around $70 million, leaked to the press. Under their current regime, the Mets haven’t had many leaks, so this might have been a strategic move—a desperate plea to Alonso and Scott Boras to accept their offer.

A one-year deal or a three-year deal with an opt-out after one year makes sense for both Alonso and the Mets. The Mets get to bring back a fan favorite, while Alonso can save face as the highest-paid first baseman on an annual basis.

I've concluded that the Mets need to sign Alonso, even if it’s a deal they’re not entirely comfortable with. The 2025 Mets already have too many question marks, even after signing Juan Soto. Adding the uncertainty of replacing Alonso's production would only complicate matters further. With Alonso, you know exactly what you’re getting: 160 games and 35-40 home runs.

Alonso has been a frustrating player to watch over the past two years. He’s not the same player he was when he set the rookie home run record, but re-signing him is essential if the Mets want their best shot at a World Series in 2025.

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