2) Pete Alonso’s chase for the first MVP in Mets history
The Mets are one of three teams to never have an MVP. Is this the year it finally happens? First baseman Pete Alonso seems to be the early contender to make it happen. He hits home runs, drives in runs, and has a likable personality that voters may lean toward as a tie-breaker.
A few things will need to happen for Alonso to secure the National League MVP. He’ll need to be right there at the top in home runs and RBI and do it with some superb slash numbers. He can’t lead the league in home runs and RBI and hit just .260. He needs to be much better. Early indications suggestion he could accomplish this.
Alonso’s improved defense won’t help his case much but it could end up as a factor in some areas. A far bigger help will be where the Mets finish in the standings. Although a playoff berth doesn’t always matter in the MVP voting, it probably will this year unless Alonso has such eye-catching numbers that there is no way he can be denied.
If he does come up short, it’ll still be a nice run to watch on as Alonso pleads his case with some mammoth home runs, clutch base hits, and walk-off celebrations all summer long.