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NY Mets rumors revisited: The $182 million Pete Alonso replacement we never wanted

The Mets might have avoided a crisis by passing up on this Pete Alonso alternative.
ByTim Boyle|
Apr 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) prepares to bat against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) prepares to bat against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

It wasn’t just first basemen mentioned in offseason New York Mets rumors involving potential Pete Alonso replacements. The idea of moving Mark Vientos across the diamond and finding a third baseman was very real. Third base wasn’t a position overloaded with talent in free agency. However, shortstop Willy Adames became an early candidate this offseason to move over to third base if signed by the Mets. He would, essentially, replace Alonso as the big middle of the order bat.

You either loved the thought or scoffed at it with some acid reflux in your throat. Adames had what was considered to be a good year in 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers with numbers that closely resembled what would’ve been a down year for Alonso. In case you haven’t noticed, he has been one of the soft spots on the San Francisco Giants roster.

Once a headliner in Mets rumors, Willy Adames is proving his doubters correct

Other than his league leading 34 games played, Adames has done very little to live up to his contract. Although he’ll take home just over $13 million this year and next, the deal jumps to over $31 million in each of the final five years. The Giants were prepared to pay less for more production now and eat some suffering on the back end.

While remaining at shortstop but not measuring so well statistically with an early -0.5 WAR at the position, Adames has failed to make up for it at the plate. He has 2 home runs, 15 RBI, and a .215/.302/.300 slash line that’s not completely a surprise given his track record. Adames has been a flimsy player throughout his career where one season he might look like he’s one of the better offensive shortstops in the league to whatever the heck happened in 2023 when he had a .717 OPS.

There should be little doubt the Mets should feel good in every way possible about re-signing Alonso. Beyond the numbers, the analytics, and every other number you can put to it, he’s a perfect personality fit for the only MLB organization he has ever known. Adames’ slow start can let us exhale with more satisfaction. And even if he does turn things around this year, his seven-year contract worth $182 million would have been wasteful for a ball club that needed something and someone different.

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