5 realistic, imperfect Pete Alonso replacements in free agency for the NY Mets roster

5) Luis Arraez - The Complete Opposite of Pete Alonso

Luis Arraez as the first baseman would bring a major change to the Mets. A two-time batting champion with experience all over the infield, he’s a very niche type of player. A lifetime .317 batting average but coming off of a disappointing year with the San Diego Padres, he’s the kind of guy you either love or hate. How did you feel about Jeff McNeil in his prime with the Mets? You’ll feel a little less satisfied with Arraez who can’t run or field much.

A pure hitter with little pop but a whole lot of contact, he’s a nice player to have if the rest of your lineup is full of power. The Mets actually do have a lot of it. They’ll still need to find more with Nimmo and Alonso out of the picture.

Arraez has already been traded twice in his career and the Padres don’t seem to have much interest in bringing him back even beyond their financial woes. He can end up as a steal if you like what he brings. A league-high 181 hits last year, signing him would signal a complete change of how the Mets lineup is structured.

Free agency has plenty more options available for the Mets. None are perfect. It’s feeling like a trade or an internal candidate might get the job.