Whispers are growing louder regarding the New York Mets possibly making All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso available to other clubs before the July 30 trade deadline.
“Alonso is expected to be the biggest power bat traded at the deadline,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden shared in a piece published Tuesday. Bowden named the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees as potential suitors for Alonso.
Alonso remains on track to reach free agency this fall and was first linked with the Cubs last year. Others mentioned Seattle as a possible destination for the right-handed slugger before Opening Day.Â
MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today said this past weekend that Alonso “may be the perfect fit” for the Mariners. Meanwhile, Bowden noted on Tuesday that the Cubs “are searching for more offensive help at catcher” but have “also touched base with the Mets” about Alonso’s status.
Mets owner Steve Cohen told reporters on Sunday he was still “focused on winning games right now” even though the club is responsible for the third-worst winning percentage among National League teams (.438). Cohen’s side began Tuesday three-and-a-half games back in the battle for the NL’s third wild-card playoff berth.
It was reported on Monday that at least one unnamed club official thinks the Mets will “decide they are ready to trade” key contributors after the All-Star Game takes place on July 16. Cohen is expected to pursue New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto this fall, and Bowden indicated there’s a chance Soto and Alonso could be teammates next spring.
“If the Mets trade Alonso, they will still make a concerted effort to re-sign him this offseason,” Bowden added. “They love the ‘Polar Bear,’ and he loves New York.”
Danny Abriano of SNY pointed out on Tuesday that the Mets “have the easiest 18-game stretch they’ll have all season” from July 1 through July 22. Barring an absolute collapse over the next few weeks, both Cohen and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns should want to see what the club can accomplish between now and the fourth Tuesday of July before they punt on the campaign.