1 word to describe each internal NY Mets replacement for Pete Alonso at first base

The Athletic’s Will Sammon explored some of the internal New York Mets options at first base if they end up letting Pete Alonso walk away this offseason. A realistic and unfortunate ending to the tenure of the franchise’s all-time home run king, you aren’t alone if you feel more and more each day that he’ll sign somewhere else.

Sammon took a look at three of the internal options who could take over at first base this coming year with Alonso wearing another team’s uniform. He excluded the idea of Juan Soto moving up from right field and over to first base. That’ll be a discussion further down the line.

Right now, the Mets are looking at three others who could man the position. There’s only one word to describe each.

A word to describe each internal Mets first base option to open up 2026

Jeff McNeil - Wasteful

The brilliance of Jeff McNeil remains his ability to play all over the field. First base would be wasteful. As down as many of us are on him, asking McNeil to become a regular at first base would steal away the one attribute that has some of us hesitant to trade him. He could probably play the position well enough to upgrade the defense. However, a circumstance where he gets the majority of the playing time would be downright silly.

Mark Vientos - Late

If you asked most fans last offseason how they felt about this, you would probably have some buying in. Mark Vientos’ breakout 2024 campaign had many of us ready to hand him a permanent job in the lineup. Some might’ve been bold enough to talk about an extension. Then came what wasn’t exactly a sophomore slump but the closest thing to it. Vientos showed no growth as a defender at third base and with first base blocked by Alonso, he never really had much of an opportunity to prove if that was a position he’d be any better at. Late is the word to describe this choice. It could be effective, but isn’t what you want to draw up in the blueprint.

Brett Baty - Piqued

Okay, as off-the-wall as this one is, you can sell me on it. Interest has piqued. Brett Baty showed growth as an offensive player while playing strong defense at third base and second base, too. Having Baty as the regular at first base feels a little weird, but feels like it would have the most potential to upgrade the defense. It only works if the Mets make a significant upgrade at third base. Alex Bregman is the obvious way to go in this case although someone like Kazuma Okamoto may also provide the club with the kind of boost at the hot corner they’re looking for. At the GM Meetings, David Stearns mentioned Baty as someone who should play significant third base. Much of what he had to say was chalk. Still, if he can be a halfway decent first baseman, moving him across the diamond to finish games and allowing someone like Ronny Mauricio to be the defensive option at third base isn't so lousy.

If all three of these players are back with the Mets in 2026, none are ideal as an everyday first baseman. McNeil should rarely play the position. Vientos can dabble. Baty might be the late-inning defensive replacement.