3 more NY Mets roster moves we all think are necessary after signing Sean Manaea

At about 2 A.M. on the morning of December 23rd, ESPN's Jeff Passan delivered yet another present to New York Mets fans this holiday season, announcing Sean Manaea and the ball club reached an agreement on a 3-year, $75 million deal. Although this deal adds a much needed arm at the top of the rotation, the Mets still aren't done.

Stearns has been adamant about spending most if not all of the over $180 million the Mets cleared off their books going into this season. After the Manaea signing, the Mets have almost $50 million to spend before reaching the top luxury tax threshold of $301 million.

With $50 million left to fill holes in the bullpen and corner infield, Stearns isn't going to blow through the final tier of luxury tax by a lot, if at all. Keeping that in mind, these are the three moves the Mets should zero in on after inking Manaea.

1. Re-sign Pete Alonso

After declining a generous 7-year, $158 million deal before the 2024 season, it was reported that Pete was looking for a deal closer to $200 million in the nine to ten year range. With Scott Boras as his agent, it was almost certain he was going to get Pete his desired deal. Flash forward to today, the market indicates the "polar" opposite.

There are many factors that have diminished the market for Pete Alonso. Teams were already on the fence to giving a defensively challenged, right-handed first baseman a long term contract and Pete coming off full season career lows in: OPS, OPS+, WAR, and HR only proves their point.

The second reason is how the market for free agent first basemen has played out so far. Not only has mostly every team in the hunt for a first basemen found their guy via free agency or the trade market, but the ones that have signed through free agency were signed short term. Christian Walker was the only other free agent first basemen getting the same attention as Pete and he signed a small 3-year, $60 million deal with the Astros, further hurting Pete's chances of a long term deal.

Taking all of these factors into account it is highly likely the Mets will be able to retain Alonso on a team friendly 4/5-year deal, while giving Pete the AAV he is worth as well. Making him the 3rd highest paid first basemen in the sport.