3 NY Mets-Red Sox free agent bidding wars we could see that don’t involve Juan Soto

3) Pete Alonso

The Red Sox already have Triston Casas for first base but he doesn’t have the same kind of punch someone like Pete Alonso could bring to the lineup. The Red Sox could especially use a right-handed hitter with power. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill clobbered 31 home runs last year but is now a free agent. They’re left with a left-handed heavy lineup, one which Alonso would seemingly fit in with well.

Boston hasn’t had an excellent stint trying to build a winner. Never quite good enough on paper or in the actual standings, their 81-81 record last year perfectly represents what they have been. Back-to-back 78-win seasons prior, this is a ball club that has only made it to the playoffs once since winning the 2018 World Series. If you weren’t paying close attention, you might not have even realized how much losing they’ve done.

A part of the reason for their failures has been their lack of commitment to star players. Notably, they traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alonso is no Betts, however, he seems to match more in the purview of what they are trying to accomplish: build a better roster without ever getting the best free agent possible.

This is why when Mets fans see the Red Sox as serious suitors for Soto, we wonder how true this really is. Alonso would be a solid consolation prize for any team who doesn’t sign Soto. No one is capable of hitting for more power. Is a bidding war on the way? If so, a safe prediction would be the Red Sox bowing out and letting Alonso slip away.