Despite making very few offensive changes to a roster that underperformed in 2023, the New York Mets are expected to have one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball for the upcoming season.
However, since making his team debut in 2019, Pete Alonso has hit more home runs than any other player, so the Mets do have him. And Jon Heyman of the New York Post is urging the Mets to sign another elite slugger to fully utilize his talents.
“The Mets made the right decision in keeping their homegrown slugger, but they really lack a proven slugger to put pressure on Alonso—possibly even the reason he decides to leave as a free agent at the end of the season,” Heyman wrote.
Heyman stated that the Mets “owe” Alonso the addition of two veteran sluggers who are still without a home by Opening Day: Jorge Soler (estimated to be worth $13.9 million) and J.D. Martinez (estimated to be worth $15.4 million annually, according to Spotrac). Both players were designated hitters on the 2023 National League all-star roster.
According to Heyman, “Lo and behold, two genuine middle-of-the-order hitters remain unemployed.” And instead of seeing Jorge Soler and J.D. Martinez as just two exceptional hitters, consider them as two possible lineup protectors and perhaps even a few steals.
Because of his exceptional bat, Alonso is regarded by many as one of the best first basemen in the major leagues. Although he hit 46 home runs last season—the second-most of his career—his on-base percentages—including his batting average of.217 and OBP of.318—were career lows.
The Mets are failing Alonso by not having a potent hitter bat immediately after him at the top of the order, according to MLB analysts. By encouraging opposing pitchers to give Alonso better pitches, this would better “protect” him.
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