3 wild NY Mets roster changes we shouldn’t expect but can be justified

3) The Mets go cheap at first base and lean heavily into run prevention

The only reason the Mets should be turned off at the idea of a long-term deal with Pete Alonso is if they truly think his defense is a deterrent toward winning. Yeah, there are examples of him playing the position poorly. Most of them involve throwing the ball.

There are cheap options out there and then there are cheeeeap options. Moving Mark Vientos to first base full-time is kind of in-between. Employing Ty France at the position in a regular role is something done exclusively for defense while hoping his bat can keep up.

This could conceivably be a move the Mets make if they were to add other places heavily. By not spending on a power hitting first baseman, they could put together a stronger case to pay Bichette for another infield position or go after someone like Alex Bregman who has been a good defender. They might even be more willing to spend on two starting pitchers or at least add another $10+ million arm to the bullpen alongside Diaz and A.J. Minter.

Every MLB team is a 26-piece puzzle in theory. All are constructed differently.

A belief that Stearns doesn’t like paying first basemen might be one he’ll need to waive if true. There are way too many good options out there this offseason with Alonso as a headliner followed by players like Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto coming from Japan. Passing on all of these choices should guarantee the Mets improve their team elsewhere.