3 players the Mets could trade in the future beyond Pete Alonso to nuke the roster

Pete Alonso is the player whose name comes up in discussions most about leaving the New York Mets. Understandable because of his lame duck contract and trade rumors that have the same survivability as the monster in a horror film, envisioning the Mets without him on the roster isn’t so difficult. He could be traded this summer. He could leave in free agency. There are a lot of ways this can end without him in blue and orange.

Trading Alonso or letting him leave is one way David Stearns could nuke the Mets roster. But if the team has the desire to lower the payroll even more at some point, there will be other opportunities.

Stearns wasn’t shy about making big moves during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. Thus far, as an employee with the Mets, he hasn’t delivered any gut punches to the fanbase. Beyond Alonso, how else could Stearns drop an atomic bomb on the roster?

1) Trade Jeff McNeil

Jeff McNeil isn’t quite as beloved as Alonso, but it’s not too distant. McNeil is temperamental at times—already shown on Opening Day this season. As a player, his ability to move around the field and put the bat on the baseball is a unique attribute which makes him a fit for just about any roster. Trading him, however, does feel like a possibility for a ball club stacked with infield prospects and no place for all of them to play.

McNeil will make $15.75 million through the 2026 season with a chance at one more season of it in 2027. The contract is team friendly if he’s batting over .300. Anything less and the contract feels a little more appropriate or even overpriced in some regards.

The Mets could have some obvious backup plans in place already. Luisangel Acuna is sure to get some innings as a second baseman on the MLB roster. He’s the quick answer and likeliest to end up playing alongside Francisco Lindor up the middle.

McNeil should remain an in-demand player for other organizations due to his ability to play second base and left field well. It would be sad to see him go from the Mets. The contract isn’t outrageous and if getting younger at the position is something Stearns feels the team should do, they should be able to find a match. 

3) Trade Edwin Diaz

Why trade the best closer in baseball?

Stearns has yet to put a black hat on as the President of Baseball Operations in Queens. His moves have been fan-friendly. By simply keeping Alonso through the offseason, he at least showed some tact in catering to what fans desire most. Dealing away Diaz, an incredibly dominant and popular player, would be the kind of move that’ll enrage fans. He and Steve Cohen will get called “cheap.” Unless they follow it up with better moves, we shouldn’t count on it.

From a reasonable perspective, we should be able to understand why such a move could take place. Closers do tend to flame out. Diaz, costing as much as a quality starting pitcher and more than many position players who take the field every day for 9 innings, isn’t exactly a bargain. 

Consider him volcano insurance for a home near an active volcano that hasn’t erupted in hundreds of years. A good closer is necessary, like the insurance policy. However, if your house is overcome by liquid hot magma much like the Mets were in 2023 beyond just the absence of Diaz, having such a high-priced closer isn’t going to fix your problem. Your house is destroyed regardless.

Something I’d like to know is whether Stearns would’ve extended Diaz or not if he was with the team when his contract came up. He traded Josh Hader from the Brewers in his last year. Could he end up doing the same with the even more popular Diaz before he potentially opts out?

Pushing that button would have Stearnsenheimmer becoming death, destroyer of the Mets.