The New York Mets are anticipated to have a difficult decision in the 2024 season concerning their homegrown first baseman Pete Alonso.
Alonso is due to enter free agency and is expected to land a contract worth about $296 million over nine years, as stated by Spotrac. The team he has been with for his entire five-year career will need to choose whether to extend his contract, let him test free agency, or try to gain some value by trading him before the deadline.
In his “bold predictions” for 2024, CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa predicted that the Mets will choose the last option.
“Trading Alonso at the deadline is the best way to maximize his value in his final year of team control, and we’re predicting it happens,” Axisa wrote.
The New York Mets Might Find Most Value in a Pete Alonso Trade
The final decision will be made by Mets owner Steve Cohen and newly-appointed president of baseball operations David Stearns. According to Axisa, Stearns does not see the value in extending Alonso with the amount of money required to keep him, nor is he willing to see Alonso sign with another team in free agency just for the compensatory draft pick offered for making a qualifying offer.
“A Pete Alonso extension is very improbable, and new president of baseball operations David Stearns is not one to heavily invest in first base,” Axisa added. “I don’t believe owner Steve Cohen waited so patiently to land Stearns only to overrule him on such a significant issue in Year 1. Allowing Alonso to leave as a free agent and receiving only one small draft pick as compensation would be a mistake, and Stearns recognizes that.”
What Could the New York Mets Receive in Exchange for a Pete Alonso Trade?
Of course, filling Alonso’s shoes will be challenging, even if a deadline trade brings back some assets.
The 29-year-old has accumulated 192 home runs, 498 RBI and 288 walks in his major-league career, maintaining a .528 SLG during that time. He has been named an All-Star three times, including last season, when he also received some MVP votes.
For his part, he appears ready to secure the most lucrative deal among all MLB teams next season. He has signed five one-year deals with the Mets consecutively, and might now seek a long-term contract as he enters his 30s.
“Alonso changed agents to hire Scott Boras, who is well-known for maximizing free-agent earnings,” Jon Heyman of the New York Post stated. “And let’s face it, even before he hired Boras, Alonso went year to year. He showed little interest in a long-term extension… There’s no reason to believe he won’t at least become a free agent, and there’s no reason to think there won’t be several offers for him.”
If the Mets do trade Alonso, it’s unlikely they will receive a significant return. Teams are reluctant to give up a lot for what may ultimately be a short-term rental in a deadline deal for a player in his final year before free agency.
“He’ll earn over $20 million in his last year of arbitration due to his impressive stats, so his trade value is moderate: perhaps a prospect ranking in the 101-200 range of a prospect list,” Kiley McDaniel made a projection for ESPN.
