MLB Free Agency Rumors: Red Sox-Mets’ Pete Alonso Union Makes Sense To Insider

Another day, another rumor linking the Boston Red Sox to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.

The latest free agency update comes from the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, who discussed on MLB Network Alonso leaving Queens.

“It was hard to imagine Albert Pujols in a different uniform. People move if they’re a free agent. This is the second time with the Mets. We’ll see if Steve Cohen can save him once again as he did last year for the Mets. They do have that run-prevention issue that they’re looking at,” Heyman reported.

Projected Suitors

“I’m not guaranteeing he’s going to the Mets. I think he’s gonna have a much better market without the qualifying offer. Also had an outstanding offensive year, much better this year than last year,” Heyman added.

“I’ve heard Houston, which is a little bit surprising to me. But obviously Alonso’s got other potentials with Boston and many others,” Heyman concluded.

“Alonso’s willingness to play designated hitter offers the sorts of avenues a first-base-only mindset wouldn’t,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported. “He could stay with the Mets, move up to Boston, bring Cincinnati the big bat it desperately needs or, if Ryan Mountcastle is traded or nontendered, split the first-base and DH jobs in Baltimore with rookie Samuel Basallo, who will also spend plenty of time at catcher.”

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand identified five potential suitors for Alonso: the Red Sox, Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals.

Contract Projections

Heyman predicted Alonso, a five-time All-Star, will land a five-year, $165 million contract.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden listed the Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers as the prime contenders for Alonso, with an expected price tag of six years and $182 million.

The Mariners likely are out of the mix after re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor, giving him a five-year, $92.5 million contract.

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 return to the open market.

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.