3 Pete Alonso replacements on the trade block for the NY Mets to fill the hole at 1B

2) Willson Contreras - The catcher turned first baseman

Willson Contreras made a seamless transition to first base last season. The St. Louis Cardinals saw him finish in a tie for the fourth-best OAA at the position. They’ve already managed to offload Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox. They’d gladly like to sell Contreras, too, if they’re serious about resetting the roster.

Contreras’ contract guarantees him about the same amount of money as Walker with an option in 2028. The benefit here is he appears to be a guy trending upward defensively at first base as opposed to Walker whose numbers tanked.

Given the Cardinals’ desire to reduce payroll and maybe sit next season out, it would take prospects to pry him away. They won’t do so kicking and screaming either. He can be had rather easily. Because there are so many first basemen out there in free agency still, he could be a quiet steal by the Mets if this is the route they go.

Back in October, Zack Scott suggested Contreras for Mark Vientos. This still makes sense if the Mets don’t have any hope of Vientos being a first base solution.