2 satisfying Pete Alonso alternatives for the NY Mets in 2026, 2 unsatisfying options

Unsatisfying Option #1: Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt needs no introduction to New York baseball fans. He is presently patrolling first base for the Yankees with a one year, $12.5 million contract. He is a seven-time All Star, the 2022 National League MVP, and possesses a multitude of Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Who can forget how he battled the NY Mets' Jeff McNeil for the 2022 National League batting title right up until the last game of the season. That was great!

Goldschmidt might not quite be Hall of Fame material, but in a career that has lasted 15 years, he has collected 363 home runs, 1190 RBIs, while hitting at a,289 clip. He is one of those players with whom you can say he has done everything but sell hot dogs. In Goldschmidt's case, that might almost be a fact.

So, what’s the beef? With all of these things going for him, who wouldn’t want to see Paul Goldschmidt playing first base for their team next season? I can only hope that the NY Mets are part of this group. While he has had a fine player career, there is just no getting around that he will be 38 years old when he walks onto the field next season.

I’m sure that he still considers himself as an everyday player. I’m also sure that he will find a team that will try to squeeze one more quality season out him next year. Paul Goldschmidt’s best days are behind him. It's a fact of life. It happens to everybody. I’d rather see the NY Mets build for the future, not revisit the past. At the same time, I wish Mr. Goldschmidt all the luck in the world. He certainly deserves it.