Pete Alonso alternatives in free agency aren’t the greatest for the Mets.
The uniform Pete Alonso will wear in 2025 is up in the air with several possible scripts of how it will end. Does he stay with the New York Mets through 2024 and eventually return on a new deal? What about getting traded mid-season before returning as a free agent? Then there’s the possibility of getting traded and never returning or finishing the season with the team and signing elsewhere.
Rumors of him rejecting a 7-year contract this offseason should have us feeling a little more pessimistic about his future in Queens. While not a final straw, we’ve seen this before. Michael Conforto is one of the most well-known position players to reject a favorable offer.
Easily the least well-known on this list, don’t discount Ryan O’Hearn and his sudden rise with the Baltimore Orioles. After several unsuccessful years with the Kansas City Royals, O’Hearn made his way to the Orioles where he has completely turned around his career. Developing into a low strikeout player who does himself a lot of favors by drawing walks, he seems to fit in well along the same lines as DJ Stewart.
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O’Hearn can also play the corner outfield spots as well as first base. The Orioles are using him regularly as their DH in 2024, a consideration for the Mets as well next season although it shouldn’t be an everyday thing. He doesn’t offer quite the same amount of pop.
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Through 140 plate appearances, O’Hearn is slashing .276/.343/.488. He has 7 home runs and 18 RBI. The most interesting thing about his offensive output is he has 13 walks and strikeouts each. Last season in his breakout campaign he had 15 walks versus 82 strikeouts.
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It’ll be interesting to see how much money and how long of a deal teams are willing to give a late bloomer like O’Hearn. If used correctly, possibly in a part-time platoon alongside someone such as Mark Vientos at first base, the Mets could get some solid production at a lower cost.
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The best thing to like about him is that he’s not aging quickly like Paul Goldschmidt. Someone past Mets teams would sign to help sell tickets, O’Hearn fits more into the type of move David Stearns would make. Likely a platoon player on any future Mets team, it would allow someone such as Mark Vientos exclusive starts at first base whenever the team faces a left-handed pitcher.
