5 best Pete Alonso trade destinations if the Mets decide to sell their slugger

More than 50 years have passed since Tug McGraw said those famous words “Ya gotta believe.” A rallying cry for the New York Mets and even the Philadelphia Phillies because when you come up with such a catchy three-word phrase of inspiration you should bring it with you wherever you got, it holds strong in 2024.

An undecided fate for the Mets, the biggest trade deadline piece at least in terms of catching headlines and giving us “the feels” would be the departure of Pete Alonso. Immensely popular and just as important, talks of the Mets trading their powerful first baseman have been ongoing for almost a year. His impending free agency makes it impossible to deny. Will he stay or will he go? The Clash wrote a song about it.

If he stays there will not be trouble and if he goes it will not be double, but it will signal the Mets have given up on the season. And if they do wave the white flag, these are the five best fits for him. 

5) San Francisco Giants

The Mets aren’t too far behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card standings. The Giants would need to put some distance between them and the Mets to truly become a quality destination for the slugger. A far better fit in free agency because of their positive relationship with Scott Boras clients no one else wants, their need for power, and the desire to spend a lot of money, adding him in a midseason trade is a good start toward pitching him the idea of signing in the offseason.

The Giants aren’t in horrific shape at first base with LaMonte Wade Jr. A light-hitting player for the position, he’s in the starting lineup because of his batting average and OBP abilities. Both numbers are among the league leaders this season. They can make Alonso work by moving Wade to a corner outfield position or doing so with regular DH, Jorge Soler, and allowing Alonso at-bats as the designated hitter. Some mixing and matching is probably the most realistic outcome.

San Francisco will need to pull away from the pack in order to become big enough buyers. Alonso will, unfortunately, not net the Mets a huge return. However, a more competitive team should be more willing to pay the prospect price than what has thus far been an average-at-best Giants club.