NY Mets free agent update: 3 other suitors for Pete Alonso, is any more appealing?

Lumping everyone under one umbrella and calling them “the media” feels too much like a statement reserved for someone refusing to climb down off a tree scheduled to be knocked over to put in some condominiums. I’ll take the label. It does seem like “the media” is determined to try and get Alonso back to the New York Mets. Despite some recent rumblings of teams, most notably the San Francisco Giants, considering Alonso as a fallback option after missing out on Corbin Burnes, there’s no better place for Alonso to end up than back at Citi Field and hitting somewhere behind Juan Soto.

The Mets have yet to blink in their free agency standoff nor should we expect them to. They have an equally as gigantic pivot to consider with Alex Bregman available. Alonso’s alleged three-year deal worth $90 million he turned down is the best one he could have gotten.

According to the NY Post’s Jon Heyman, the Giants are joined by the Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays as teams interested in Alonso. Maybe only the Blue Jays are somewhat of a surprise. However, after missing out on multiple targets already, we can see how they’d try to do anything to improve their chances in 2025.

There isn’t a better match for Pete Alonso than re-signing with the Mets

The Giants and Mariners both play in ballparks far more favoring pitchers than even Citi Field. While those results can fluctuate from year-to-year, they’re more traditionally pitcher’s pars than ones sluggers would like to enter. J.D. Martinez turned down more money from the Giants last offseason to join the Mets. All things equal, we can cut out the Giants. Plus, there’s that whole idea of paying California taxes that should be a turnoff for a Florida kid like Pete.

The Mariners were an even bigger disgrace offensively last year. However, if we just look at ballpark factors, we do have to consider their elite pitching dragging down some of the assessment of the statement. Even then, the last three seasons have them far and away the worst ballpark to hit in. This is not a destination Alonso should want if the goal is to opt out and get a bigger deal.

We have to mention the Blue Jays because Heyman did. What’s the likelihood of this happening? Weirder matches have been secured. The presence of the DH for all 162 games makes it possible for them to more easily carry both players. Alonso would be a guy they could entrust to take over first base if/when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leaves in free agency or is traded this summer. The obvious problem here is Alonso has said in the past he doesn’t want to be just a DH which he’d be more often than not in 2025. I suppose if money is the goal, he’ll take his hacks and reintroduce himself defensively in 2026.