2 Mets free agents who are a must to re-sign, 1 who actually isn't a good fit to return

The Mets need to re-sign Pete Alonso

Re-signing Pete Alonso should be one of the Mets' top priorities this year. The four-time all-star has one of baseball's best sluggers since making his debut in 2019, and winning Rookie of the Year. If the Mets bring back any of their players who hit free agency, then Alonso should take priority over any other player.

Alonso batted .240/.329/.459 with a .340 wOBA, and 122 wRC+. The Polar Bear had a down year in the power department by his standards. His 34 home runs and .219 isolated slugging percentage were both career-low marks (outside of the 2020 season). Alonso struck out 24.4% of the time, but carried a healthy 10% walk rate through 695 plate appearances.

This now marks five seasons in a row where Alonso has gone yard at least 30 times (not including 2020). In three of those seasons, the slugger hit 40+ dingers. There is only one other player with more home runs since the start of the 2019 season, and that's crosstown rival Aaron Judge.

Alonso has never put up Gold Glove-caliber defensive numbers at first base. But he had one of his worst seasons with the leather this year. Alonso had -3 defensive runs saved but a career-worst -8 outs above average. However, Alonso was only one year removed from his best defensive season when he had +6 DRS and only -1 OAA during the 2023 season.

The Mets should bring Alonso back because they don't have a great internal answer if he leaves. If Alonso waMets'the Mets' best in-house option would likely be to move 2024 breakout star Mark Vientos to first base and let Ronny Mauricio and/or Brett Baty take most of the reps at the hot corner. Of course, the Mets could also sign another player or pursue a trade, but Alonso is a familiar face. He may not be cheap, but he shouldn't be a problem for the Mets. The Polar Bear should return to Queens next year.