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.

4) Chicago Cubs

Mets trade rumors involving Alonso always seem to come back to the Chicago Cubs. When we saw the Mets play the Cubs earlier this season, we witnessed how evenly matched these two teams are. Belief that they can actually pull far enough away from the Mets to be Alonso buyers at the trade deadline remains present. How badly do they need Alonso?

Michael Busch has gotten the bulk of work at first base and hasn’t been so bad. An acquisition in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the young switch-hitting capable of playing some third base as well might be a suitable enough option for the Cubs at the position. They have far greater offensive needs and with three outfielders plus Mike Tauchman hitting well, their focus might go elsewhere.

The Cubs will undoubtedly do their best to position themselves in a spot where they will be trade deadline buyers. The division remains within reach. Impressive starts to the year from Javier Assad and Shota Imanaga have given them a surprisingly strong one-two punch at the top of the rotation.

Chicago’s greatest weakness is in the batting average department as they have one of the lowest in baseball. Their power and number of runs scored is about league average. Alonso wouldn’t help much at all in making a difference in the batting average or OBP department which is why they aren’t high on this list.

3) Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox wish they were in the National League. If so, they’d have a much firmer grasp on a Wild Card spot. Alas, they’re in the American League, the American League East no less. As a result, they’re going to have to settle for battling for a Wild Card berth to make the postseason.

First base is one of their most insecure positions. Since losing Triston Casas, they’ve tried Garrett Cooper and former Mets player Dominic Smith. Wouldn’t it be something for them to swing a trade for Alonso to replace Smith? It’s almost Shakespearian.

The Mets and Red Sox have made multiple trades in the last few months. Most were pretty minor and were cash for players. In Alonso’s case, it would require the Red Sox to part with some minor league talent.

Boston could use the right-handed power in their lineup. The team is extremely left-handed heavy. A right-handed power bat like Alonso batting in front of or behind Rafael Devers would be a huge help for a team hoping to become relevant again. The 2024 Red Sox are good but unless they add something at the trade deadline they aren’t close to competing with the rest of the top dogs in the league.

1) Seattle Mariners

Alonso couldn’t get much further from his Florida roots with this best trade destination. The Seattle Mariners with a below-average number of runs scored and other lackluster offensive numbers are still somehow leading the American League West by a good chunk of games. Credit their pitching. The rotation is one of the best in baseball. The bullpen isn’t so bad either.

Their first base situation has improved a bit recently with Ty France finally beginning to hit. Unfortunately, not too many of his teammates are. Catcher Cal Raleigh has been their most productive power hitter but a terrifying batting average and a whole lot of strikeouts should have the Mariners looking for any sort of alternatives at nearly every position.

The Mariners don’t even have a very good DH situation with Mitch Garver taking on those at-bats more often than anyone else. Another Mitch, the one we call Mitch Haniger, hasn’t been so good either. Alonso could easily improve on either of them while allowing France to play plenty of first base. He has played other positions in his career although not well. But if the Mariners were looking for a better offensive punch, they have some options.

Seattle is a relative newcomer to the Alonso trade rumor discussion. Because of their absolute need for a better starting lineup, Alonso seems to fit in nicely. We know Jerry Dipoto loves his transactions.