NY Mets rumors post-Jeff McNeil trade hint at team's attempt to replace Pete Alonso

After the added shake-up of finding a taker for Jeff McNeil, we received some added New York Mets as to what they could be looking to do next. They’ve eliminated McNeil from the roster to give themselves an absolute brutal outfield depth chart.

The rumors coming courtesy of The Athletic don’t suggest they’ll immediately pounce on a left fielder or pitcher. It’s a glimpse into how they’re still trying to replace Pete Alonso, ideally with a right-handed hitter who can hit for power and play first base. What a novel idea!

The Mets are hunting for a Pete Alonso replacement after all

Mixed signals about how much first base Jorge Polanco will or won’t play has left fans guessing as to what this team is even planning. A right-handed hitter with some first base in his background and added pop in his bat would surely help alleviate any of the grief we were stricken with when Alonso put the top and bottom buttons together on his Baltimore Orioles jersey, leaving the middle ones free to flap.

The Mets won’t be getting Willson Contreras to fill this role, as ideal as he would have been. Because they seem so sure Polanco will be able to handle first base on a somewhat regular basis, we need to think more in terms of 1B/DH/OF’s. Players like Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays have been suggested by fans on social media. They’ve traded away multiple contributors but have also been bringing in free agents, too.

Eugenio Suarez is another superb fit, however, he seems more necessary for other ball clubs. Would the Mets really pony up big dollars for him when they already seemingly paid Polanco for three years, jammed into two? A trade makes far more sense unless the solution is someone like Miguel Andujar who the Mets could utilize at first base and other positions, too.

The Orioles now have less of a need for Ryan Mountcastle, but he lacks any defensive versatility to do anything other than first base. He doesn’t seem to have the power either. Tyler Soderstrom, of the Athletics, seems to be the most elite match. He played Gold Glove left field last year before moving over from first base.

The Mets offseason, if nothing else, has been unpredictable and exciting. To see Mets rumors of dissatisfaction at the first base spot is promising, unless it leads to Paul Goldschmidt. That’s just unnecessary but also feels a little too likely. Oh, brother.