The New York Mets have gone from being World Series hopefuls to almost bottom-dwellers in a very short time. Not too long ago, the Mets were spending money like crazy in search of bringing a title back to New York. But fast forward to the present day and New York may be on the verge of selling off key pieces to build toward a more successful future. It’s not an ideal spot that anyone involved with the team wants to be in but for them to have a future, they may need to give up the present.
This year hasn’t gone to plan for them and with the MLB’s trade deadline quickly approaching, New York is expected to be a heavy player. They have some pieces that will interest opposing teams but nobody bigger than star first baseman Pete Alonso.
Alonso has been in trade rumors for some time now with his impending free agency coming at the end of the season. The two sides haven’t been able to get a deal done to secure his long-term future in Queens so there is major thought of the team moving him.
According to MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Alonso is the highest-profile name that could be traded at the deadline.
Whoever trades for Alonso, if the Mets deal him, will need to be certain that they can re-sign him to a massive deal. He is going to want a large contract. The Mets’ asking price for him will likely be a haul. No team is going to trade for him without believing that they have a real shot to keep him around for the future. It’s probably in the best interest of New York to deal Alonso, even if it may sting for a little in the present. Bowden explains.
They have the headliner of this year’s deadline, first baseman Pete Alonso, whom they haven’t been able to extend to a long-term contract,” writes Bowden. “It makes sense for them to trade him for prospects now and then try to re-sign him in the offseason. If the Mets keep Alonso [this year] and he leaves in free agency, they will get only a fourth-round draft pick as compensation”
On the season, the slugger is hitting .229 with 14 home runs and 32 runs batted in. All the talk about being traded and his upcoming free agency may be playing into his season, but Alonso is still a problem at the plate. He will be a highly sought-after-trade target if the Mets put him on the trade block, potentially giving them some real future assets.
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