Report: Mets now close to lose key player amid trade buzz

MLB rumors: Pete Alonso and Mets are not near on his’market value’ amid trade chatter.
The trade rumors surrounding Mets first baseman Pete Alonso continue to come in.
As the New York Mets continue to struggle, trade rumors regarding Pete Alonso persist. They aren’t going anywhere fast, so trading Alonso and restocking the farm system may be the best option.

Alonso will hit free agency this winter after six seasons with the Mets. They have yet to sign a contract extension and it doesn’t seem all that likely that there’s one on the way, especially with the future in Queens looking worse and worse. With a record of 22-30, New York is off to a worse start than last year and has been passed in the division standings by the Washington Nationals.

If the Mets decide to once again be sellers at the trade deadline, Alonso is one of the many names who are expected to be available. He and the team aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on what his “market value” is going to be, according to Buster Olney of ESPN, leading to more uncertainty about the Polar Bear’s future with the team.

Olney writes the following: “The big question that looms over the Mets is whether they will re-sign Alonso to a long-term deal before — or after — he reaches free agency in the fall…Sources say that the Mets and Alonso are far apart in what they perceive his market value to be. If the Mets aren’t contending and they don’t work out a long-term deal with Alonso before the deadline, he’ll be perhaps the biggest name on the trade market — presenting the potential of an immediate power upgrade for any team that acquires him. He would seem to be a possible fit for the Astros, Tigers, Guardians and Cubs, among others.”

Pete Alonso, Mets
Alonso, being a client of Scott Boras, is unlikely to sign a contract extension. The leverage provided by free agency is always alluring to Boras, even if it means his clients have to wait until right before the season to sign a deal. Unless New York turns its season around, trading Alonso remains a beneficial, risk-averse option.

There will be plenty of teams looking to add hitting at the deadline. Since the start of the 2022 season, only Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber have hit more homers than Alonso. Even though his 2024 home-run percentage of 5.3 is a career-low, it’s tougher to imagine a better power hitter being available for trade in the near future. Although Alonso has always been adamant about playing in the field and not being a designated hitter, he could be a DH or a 1B for whatever team gets him.

All of the teams that Olney listed have a need at first base and could use some extra slugging. Perhaps even a great team like the New York Yankees could try to land Alonso and get a first baseman in his prime. There won’t be any lack of suitors if the star slugger is truly made available for trade. So far, though, that has not been the case. Both sides are adamant about finding a way to stick together.