The case for Pete Alonso as the Mets DH in 2022

The New York Mets will enter the 2022 season (once it finally begins) with a major question to answer: Who is going to be the team’s primary designated hitter?

In the first installment of this series, I analyzed the case for and against making J.D. Davis the primary designated hitter. In this article, I go across the diamond and examine the case for Mets first baseman Pete Alonso to assume the primary designated hitter role.

One supporting argument for Alonso becoming the primary designated hitter is that the move would allow him to focus on his main strength as a player. Alonso has been the Mets best power hitter ever since he came up to the big leagues. Although Alonso’s power numbers were not what they were in his rookie year that saw him clobber 52 home runs, they still led the team each year. As a focal point in the Mets offense, Alonso would be able to concentrate solely on hitting and not have to worry about getting out on the field to play defense at first base.

As a pure power hitter, Pete Alonso would make a great designated hitter for the Mets, given their offensive struggles the past few seasons.

Taking Alonso off the diamond would also decrease the chances that Alonso would potentially get injured. As a team, the Mets have been very unlucky when it comes to keeping their stay players healthy. Suffice to say, it would behoove the team to take all necessary measures to ensure that they do not find themselves in the situation they found themselves in 2021.

The last main reason why Alonso should become the Mets designated hitter is because the team already has another first baseman on the roster in Dominic Smith. Although known for his hitting ability as well, Smith isn’t quite the same offensive threat that Alonso is; however, what he brings to the team is better defense at first base. Because the National League has not ever had the designated hitter, Smith has been forced to play left field to keep his bat in the lineup. However, the reality is that Smith is out of position as an outfielder, and is much better suited to playing first base.

With Alonso being the designated hitter, this would allow Smith to reassume his best position and provide the Mets a chance to get a true left fielder to play the outfield. Doing so would make the team better defensively and put their young players in a better position to succeed.

Alonso’s case for being the permanent designated hitter is tricky. On the one hand, there are numerous strong arguments for making Alonso the designated hitter. He is a pure power hitter, and his glove is at best average.

On the other hand, the Mets would need to tread carefully if they opt for this solution. Assuming that they make no more moves in free agency, this will mean that Dominic Smith could become the primary first baseman, and his splits indicate that it would be risky making him the full-time first baseman, especially coming off of a down year. Given the number of candidates the Mets have at first base, keeping Alonso at his natural position may be the way to go.

Mets fans should expect Pete Alonso to remain at his original position, at least for now.

Mets manager Buck Showalter is going to have a tough lineup decision when it comes to the designated hitter. With the new acquisitions and Robinson Cano returning, Showalter is in a position where he can get creative with the lineup. Part of that creativity could mean trying Alonso out as the primary designated hitter.

However, at least in the beginning, I expect that Alonso will still get the majority of the playing time at first base. The Mets made the choice a couple years ago to give Alonso the starting first base job over Smith. So far, that has proven to have been the correct decision, given Smith’s inconsistency. Therefore, it stands to reason that the Mets will not overthink this decision, and keep the status quo for the time being.