It has become very clear who the NY Mets needed to replace Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso is making his return to Citi Field on Monday with the Baltimore Orioles. It will be the first time Alonso has faced the New York Mets since signing with the Orioles on a five-year, $155 million deal in the offseason.

There's obviously a ton of history between Alonso and the Mets after the first baseman spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career in Queens. And Alonso will surely receive a warm reception from Mets fans given what he meant to the franchise.

But Alonso's return will only remind the Mets of what they lost. The 31-year-old is having another big year, slugging 35 home runs, driving in 100 RBI (AL lead) and slashing .269/.363/.499 with an .862 OPS, while playing in all 150 games.

This is a complete contrast from Alonso's replacement, Jorge Polanco, who the Mets signed to a two-year, $40 million to play first base. Not only had Polanco never played the position before, he has always had injury troubles throughout his career. And 2026 was no different. Polanco played in just 37 games for the Mets before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery. Mark Vientos has seen a ton of time at first base this season as well, but has struggled for the second straight year.

Once the Mets find an adequate replacement for Alonso, it will help ease some of the pain of his departure. But there's one name they could've added in the offseason that would've helped fans get over him a lot sooner.

Willson Contreras would've been the perfect Met

The Boston Red Sox acquired right-handed hitting first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for a trio of young pitchers: Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita. Contreras has proceeded to make the AL All-Star team and post a .277/.387/.517 slash line with a .904 OPS, 26 homers and 79 RBI in 126 games.

These aren't quite Alonso power numbers, but not many right-handed hitters in the game can produce at the same level as the "polar bear." The Mets gladly would've taken a 34-year-old Contreras, who made $16.05 million this year, makes $17 million in 2027 and has a $20 million club option in 2028. Contreras also would have brought solid defense at first base (one Outs Above Average) and veteran leadership to the clubhouse.

To be fair, the Mets tried to trade for Contreras before he was dealt to the Red Sox, but they missed out. They instead pivoted to Polanco, which has proven to be a major blunder.

It took young pitching for the Cardinals to cough up Contreras. It's unknown which young pitchers or what type of package the Cardinals asked the Mets for in return for Contreras. But in hindsight, the Mets should be kicking themselves for not landing Contreras. His presence would've helped ease the pain of losing Alonso.

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