Red Sox Rumors: ‘High Risk’ All-Star Free-Agent Slugger Not Best Fit

Don’t hold your breath. That’s what ESPN’s David Schoenfield is saying about the Boston Red Sox possibly signing New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in free agency. In fact, Schoenfield says Alonso’s best fit is right where he is.

“Alonso has averaged 42 home runs per 162 games throughout his career, and his durability is one of his selling points — he hasn’t missed a game the past two seasons,” Schoenfield notes.

“Will there be more demand this offseason? Perhaps. But Alonso is a 31-year-old first baseman who is a below-average defender,” Schoenfied adds. “He has elite power but not elite on-base percentages. That all makes him a ‘high risk’ category, and he’s not quite in the class of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Freddie Freeman or Matt Olson, the first basemen who received big nine-figure deals since 2022.

“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,” Schoenfield reports.

Who’s On Deck?

If the Mets swing and miss, Schoenfield says the other best fits for Alonso are the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals. Among the less likely landing spots is 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.

“Alonso is also from Florida, which might help. A more realistic long shot might be the Nationals, who need a big bopper and have plenty of room in the payroll,” Schoenfield concludes.

Other Potential Bidders

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

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports the San Francisco Giants also make sense for Alonso.

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 will 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.