3 short-term Mets replacements for Pete Alonso at first base to consider

The New York Mets are aggressive in the market this offseason, with enough availability and financial flexibility to add top players this winter. However, the availability of resources is not unlimited, and the team has multiple needs on its roster, which creates a need to focus on spending in the most efficient way possible.

In the scenario that the Mets manage to sign Juan Soto, they would need to be creative about how to fill the gaps in the three vacant spots in the starting rotation, bullpen, team bench, and first base. In this case, Pete Alonso has been a valuable piece for the Mets. Still, his position in the market could cause the Mets to look for short-term solutions, given the availability of top prospect infielders in the farm system.

1) Sign Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt has been a top hitter in baseball throughout his career. The first baseman has a career line of .289/.381/.510/.891 with 362 home runs, 1,187 RBI and 1,204 runs, one MVP, four gold glove awards, and five silver slugger awards.

However, the 36-year-old veteran hitter's 2024 season performance was worrying. He hit just .245 with an OBP of .302, significantly lower than his career average. The first baseman hit 22 home runs and 65 RBI in 154 games.

Goldschmidt had a drop in his ability to generate walks and a poor performance against offspeed pitches to which he hit for an AVG of .169 and a slugging percentage of just .241. Likewise, his distribution of hits via ground balls increased by almost 3.5 percentage points compared to 2023, and although his total swing rate increased, he did so by increasing his swing outside the strike zone.

On the other hand, there are positive factors by which a rebound can be expected from this hitter. His hard-hit contact, average exit velocity, and barrel remain at an elite level in MLB, so on a one-season contract, the gamble for a hitter of Goldsmischdt's caliber would be ideal to replace Pete Alonso at first base for the Mets.

2) Trade for Josh Naylor

Free agency has multiple names capable of covering first base but most of them are in search of multi-year contracts. Another way to improve the position without having to make a long-term financial commitment would be through the trade market.

The Cleveland Guardians would be inclined to trade Josh Naylor this winter because the first baseman is in the final year of his contract for which he would earn an estimated $14.5 million in his final year of arbitration. The Guardians feature former top prospect Kyle Manzardo, who was acquired at the 2023 trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays for Aaron Civale.

Naylor has been a productive bat in his career with a slash line of .262/.323/.444/.767 with 84 home runs and 343 RBIs. Although his profile is not that of a hitter with on-base skills, his strikeout and whiff rates are low and his power makes him a productive bat.

In 2024, he hit a career-high 31 home runs and 108 RBIs. On a low-cost, one-year deal, the cost of acquiring Naylor would not be high, requiring one or two prospects of average value and would be placed fourth or fifth in the batting lineup, being a left-handed hitter who would provide balance.