2) Ryan Mountcastle
The Baltimore Orioles have a plethora of young infielders on their roster. They need some pitchers and could move first baseman Ryan Mountcastle to achieve that. Mountcastle has been a steadily solid bat in the O’s line-up since his debut in the shortened 2020 season. He’d be a good addition to the Mets’ line-up.
Last season, Mountcastle batted .271/.308/.425 with a .316 wOBA, and 108 wRC+. Mountcastle provided about league-average power with 13 homers in 507 plate appearances and putting up a .154 isolated slugging percentage. Mountcastle had a 22.5% strikeout rate but walked at a career-low 5.3% rate. His previous career-worst BB% was still 7%.
However, Mountcastle definitely would benefit from a change of scenery. He would have hit more home runs in every stadium except for Camden Yards. Mountcastle was in the 76th percentile of exit velo at 90.8 MPH, as well as the 58th percentile of barrel rate at 8.8%. The first baseman was above the 70th percentile in each of Baseball Savant’s expected stats, including xwOBA (.332), xBA (.272), and xSLG% (.445).
Mountcastle was a Gold Glove finalist this season and for a good reason. His +8 defensive runs saved was tied with veteran switch-hitter Carlos Santana for the most at first base in the American League. Mountcastle was in the 79th percentile of outs above average with +2. He is also not a sloth on the basepaths either and was in the 57th percentile of sprint speed.
Mountcastle is controllable as well, as he is under contract through the 2026 season. If the Mets have to find an alternative to Alonso on the first base market who isn’t purely a one-year rental, then Mountcastle will be one of their best options.