New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is now an unrestricted free agent after slugging 226 home runs in six years with the Mets. Alonso is projected to land a contract worth well north of $150 million this winter.
There are a ton of teams that could use his services. From the East Coast to the West Coast, Alonso is going to check into every possible opportunity before he signs on the dotted line.
Unfortunately for him, his suitors are heavily impacted by which team sends $650 million to New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto. If the Mets acquire Soto, they will likely be out on Alonso. The same thing could be said for just about every team pursuing both Soto and Alonso.
Which teams are the most likely to sign the 226-home run slugger?
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Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs have been heavily linked to Alonso dating all the way back to early June of this year. Chicago could use a big slugger at first base opening up the ability to move Michael Busch around the field or into the DH.
Alonso would be the Cubs’ big pick up of the year and it would push Craig Counsell’s team in the right direction. Sometimes it’s less about adding the perfect fit for your team and it’s more about adding an elite talent when he’s available.
If the Cubs don’t take a shot at acquiring Alonso, they will regret it.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners desperately need to add corner infielders to their roster. They have one of, if not the best pitching staff in the entire league, yet they’re not even close to a World Series threat because of how poorly their lineup has performed.
Adding a 40-home run bat like Alonso would be a huge step in the right direction. Seattle needs offense and a big bat to slot into the cleanup spot for 150 or 160 games each year. That’s exactly what Alonso would bring to the team.
There is a chance that Seattle doesn’t want to spend the money to acquire Alonso, instead opting to pursue Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker.
New York Mets
Obviously, a reunion with the New York Mets is at the top of the list. But, as stated before, this completely hinges on the Mets’ pursuit of Juan Soto. There’s almost a zero percent chance that New York can re-sign Alonso while also giving Soto over $600 million.
Still, signing Alonso should be the second most important piece of New York’s offseason. The slugger has been a fan favorite in the Big Apple for as long as he’s been in the big leagues. It’ll be tough for Mets fans to see him play in a different uniform.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees don’t really want to pursue Alonso. Because if they’re going after Alonso, that means they missed out on Soto. But still, having a solid backup plan just in case they lose Soto is important.
New York let its former first baseman Anthony Rizzo walk in free agency and it doesn’t have an internal option to fill his spot. The Bronx Bombers have been connected to a few different sluggers at first base, but the best option is Alonso if they can afford him.
I expect the Alonso signing to come a week or so after Soto signs, with the favorite to land Alonso being whichever New York team doesn’t land Soto.
More MLB: Could Yankees Superstar Juan Soto Actually Land Rumored $700 Million Contract?
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