The New York Mets face a major void at first base now that Pete Alonso is officially a free agent. Will they bring back their star slugger on a long-term deal, or could a trade for someone like Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. be in the cards? Alonso, who joined the Mets in 2019, ranks third on the franchise’s all-time home run list with 226 and has often expressed how much it means to play for New York. However, with free agency in play, the future is wide open.
Although a reunion seems logical, MLB Trade Rumors’ annual free agency predictions suggest otherwise. Only one out of four writers believes the Mets will re-sign Alonso, while the rest predict he’ll sign with the Washington Nationals on a five-year, $125 million deal. If Alonso doesn’t return to Queens, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns will need to find a solution to fill the gap in the lineup.
In an SNY Baseball Night in New York episode, Anthony McCarron suggested a trade to bring Guerrero to the Mets. The proposed deal would see New York receive Guerrero in exchange for top prospects Jett Williams, Ryan Clifford, and utility player Jeff McNeil. Guerrero, who posted an impressive .323/.396/.544 slash line with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2024, would more than fill the void left by Alonso.
However, trading for Guerrero may only be a short-term fix. He’s projected to earn $29.6 million in arbitration, and Spotrac estimates his market value at 10 years, $259 million. If the Mets were to part with top talent for him, they’d likely push for an extension. Plus, if Toronto pursues free agent Juan Soto this offseason, Guerrero’s availability could diminish.
The idea of Guerrero in the Mets’ lineup is intriguing, but it likely won’t become a serious option until Alonso’s next move is confirmed.
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