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Pete Alonso replacements: 1 weak, 1 logical, 1 dream scenario if the Mets trade their star

Is there an answer to replacing Pete Alonso?

By Tim Boyle |
Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets - Game Two
Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets - Game Two / Adam Hunger/GettyImages
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Like it or not, Pete Alonso trade rumors are probably headlining the hot stove this winter in Queens. The New York Mets first baseman was shopped to some degree at this year's trade deadline. Ever since, most of the fans have gone to battle for why keeping him is a necessary endeavor.

What is there to say about Alonso that isn’t already abundantly clear? He’s talented and popular. Allegations of him being a toxic clubhouse presence had no foundation to it. He needs to stay put not only because of what he brings but also because the pool of realistic replacement options aren’t nearly as good.

Alonso has some shortcomings in his game while making up for much of it by being an absolute stud home run hitter. Finding a suitable replacement seems futile. Let’s take a look at a few of those realistic options.

Mark Vientos is the easy yet underwhelming replacement if the Mets trade Pete Alonso

Leaving a hole at first base does give the Mets a chance to provide Mark Vientos with some more realistic playing time. It’s a big risk. Vientos hasn’t shown enough at the major league level just yet to warrant any kind of faith that he can come close to replicating what Alonso does.

There are multiple problems with this type of move. Vientos immediately falls into the “he’s not the other guy” category. For an organization that has been so hesitant to make bold moves, trading Alonso and then putting a lot of faith in Vientos to become the everyday first baseman would catch us all off guard.

Yes, Vientos is a potential replacement for Alonso. He’s just not a very realistic one. If he remains with the ball club he should, no doubt, get the occasional start there. After all, Alonso may remain in 2024 and have an outrageous extension asking price. Having at least one fallback option is important for the Mets and this includes getting Vientos a little more playing time at first base.

Rhys Hoskins is the logical replacement if the Mets trade Pete Alonso

Rhys Hoskins is one of the better free agents this offseason who has fallen off of everyone’s radar simply because he hasn’t played a single game. A preseason injury eliminated the first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies from being a pain for the Mets this past year. Could he be a viable replacement for Alonso?

Hoskins has much more proven power than a player like Vientos. He’s a weak defender; arguably worse than Alonso with a hand tied behind his back.

In many ways, Hoskins can be looked at as a “poor man’s Pete Alonso.” He has hit 30+ home runs twice in his career. He has never reached 100 RBI although he has come close a couple of times. A lifetime .242/.353/.492 hitter, the ability to draw walks is about the only one he is better at than the Polar Bear.

Hoskins, just like any other obvious downgrades, would also have the responsibility of replacing a fan-favorite. It would be a questionable move to make and come across as bargain hunting. Already a former rival with the Phillies, every error or strike three called against him is going to draw much more disdain than a youngster like Vientos, although fans will be pretty merciless against him as well.

Free agency will provide the Mets with more options as well. None are particularly exciting. What about the trade market? While purely speculative, there is one guy who might actually make the fans happy if the Mets were willing to pay a steep price.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the dream replacement if the Mets trade Pete Alonso

Would the Toronto Blue Jays really cut ties with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? A “down” year in 2023 and the fact that he’s only one year further away from free agency than Alonso. Could they be thinking about making a change? For as much as the Mets could land in a trade involving Alonso, the Blue Jays are looking at an even greater haul for their younger warrior.

The Blue Jays exited from the postseason quickly with two losses against the Minnesota Twins. It was the kind of playoff performance where heads could roll and big changes could come.

The far more likely scenario is the Blue Jays don’t trade him—at least not yet. His runner-up MVP performance in 2021 at age 22 indicates how truly great he can be. Add in the Gold Glove he won in 2022 and Guerrero may very well be one of the most complete packages at the position by the time he even gets to free agency.

It’s probably there when the Mets get their best shot to strike. With this in mind, it’ll take two years to actually replace Alonso unless they’d be willing to offer the Blue Jays an insane trade package that includes major league players as well. Even then, is there enough they could reasonably put on paper to entice the Blue Jays?

Guerrero is the ultimate closest player out there for the Mets to seek in any attempt to replace Alonso. The ridiculous amount of talent they’d need to send North of the Border should be enough for them to realize how difficult it is to ever do so. Furthermore, his contract demands should exceed what Alonso will get when he hits the open market. We can dream about this. The best solution, however, remains to just pay Pete.

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