Mets’ Pete Alonso-Red Sox Free Agency Rumors Include Pair Of NL Contenders
Alonso is a two-time Home Run Derby champion
Like sand through the MLB free agency hour glass, these are the days of Red Sox Nation’s lives.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow continues to be linked to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, one of the best bats available on the open market. Problem is, Boston isn’t alone in its pursuit of the slugger.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand lists three teams as best fits for Alonso: the Red Sox, Mets and San Francisco Giants.
One To Watch
Feinsand ranks Alonso No. 6 among the top 30 names to watch in free agency.
“Like (Alex) Bregman, it took Alonso until mid-February to land a deal, re-signing with the Mets for two years and $54 million,” Feinsand notes.
“Alonso opted out of the final year and $24 million of the deal to give free agency another try, and with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs and an .871 OPS in 162 games this season — not to mention the absence of a qualifying offer — he should draw more interest than he did a year ago,” Alonso adds.
Other Best Fits
Of course, a return to Queens remains on the table.
“It’s hard to envision Alonso leaving the Mets, but president of baseball operations David Stearns won’t overpay to bring him back — and Alonso might not be so willing to give the Mets a sweetheart of a deal this time around,” ESPN’s David Schoenfield reports.
If the Mets swing and miss, Schoenfield identifies other best fits for Alonso, including the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals, as well as Boston.
“The Texas Rangers didn’t get the output they wanted from Jake Burger; the Red Sox could move on from Triston Casas; and the Phillies (if they don’t sign Schwarber) and Atlanta Braves might consider Alonso as a DH, but let’s toss out the Marlins,” Schoenfield writes.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden lists the Red Sox, Mets, Rangers, Phillies and Seattle Mariners as the prime contenders for Alonso, with an expected price tag of six years and $182 million.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman says the Houston Astros could be in the mix as well.
A five-time All-Star, Alonso was a free agent last winter and didn’t find a multi-year, nine-figure contract to his liking so he returned to the Mets, who gave him a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause.
The two-time Home Run Derby champion said after the regular season ended he would opt out of his contract and hit the open market, which he did on Monday.
The 30-year-old Alonso hit 38 home runs this season, which was eighth-best in the majors, and drove in 126 runs, second only to Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.
Alonso, a home-grown Mets star, spent seven seasons in Queens. This year he became the franchise’s all-time home run leader, surpassing eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry.
