The New York Mets are running out of options at first base.
Since Saturday morning, three first basemen have been signed or traded for, with Paul Goldschmidt going to the New York Yankees, Josh Naylor being dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Carlos Santana returning to the Cleveland Guardians.
It’s time for the Mets to make their move, whether it be a free agent (i.e. Pete Alonso) or someone acquired in a trade.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 29: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after an an two-RBI single against the Houston Astros during the second inning at Citi Field on June 29, 2024 in the Queens borough of New York City.
Luke Hales/Getty Images
Alonso is still on the market as the top first baseman with Josh Bell, Anthony Rizzo and Ty France the best available options behind him. LaMonte Wade Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe are options in the trade market.
Most of the holdup is (more than likely) caused by negotiations with Alonso and his agent, Scott Boras. Boras is going to use the lack of strong options as a tactic to try and get Alonso more money.
Even though this is presumably the case now, the Mets need to either be aggressive and get it done or move on once and for all.
Not only does this complicate things at first base, it throws off the plan for the rest of the offseason. If the Mets don’t have to pay Alonso $30 million or more per year, they could elect to sign multiple players for the same price.
Aside from first base, the Mets need to address the bullpen with at least one reliever, if not more, and it couldn’t hurt for them to add one other starter.
General manager David Stearns won’t want too many more quality options to come off the board, so it seems the Alonso reunion may be reaching now-or-never territory.
More MLB: Yankees Offseason Outlook After Signing Five-Time Silver Slugger
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.