Pete Alonso’s free agency has turned dramatically. After rejecting the New York Mets’ last-ditch approach to retain Alonso, the deal has opened for other groups to pursue the star first baseman. Swooping in, the Toronto Blue Jays are making their move, trying to hijack the deal as well as enhance the team’s lineup. At the same time, the Mets, likely out of Pete’s reach, are assessing other options. The team’s focus has shifted to the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., establishing a fascinating situation.

If the Jays sign Alonso as well as trade Guerrero to New York, it could be an indirect player swap. But Vladimir’s trade comes with steep needs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s value to the Blue Jays goes beyond his impressive 2024 numbers. He has a .323 batting average, 30 home runs, as well as 103 RBIs with a .396 on-base percentage. The 25-year-old player has become one of MLB’s elite hitters, with 136 home runs over the past four years. Guerrero ignored arbitration with a $28.5 million contract for 2025, displaying his stature.

However, with his free agency looming after the 2025 season, Toronto’s management faces a pivotal decision related to his future. As per The Athletic, the package would need to exceed the value the Yankees received in December 2023 for Juan Soto. It was a trade that engaged with a Cy Young contender, Michael King, as well as top pitching prospect Drew Thorpe. King finished 7th in the NL Cy Young voting in 2023. In addition, Thorpe was later part of a deal for Dylan Cease. As Toronto stands firm, the Mets are left grappling with how to address Pete Alonso’s free agency and their shifting roster needs.

Mets Hurdles: Alonso’s Price Tag and the Ripple Effect

The Mets are in a tough situation after Pete Alonso rejected the team’s seven-year, $158 million deal in June 2023. The two-time All-Star, who hit 46 home runs in 2024 as well as has accumulated 232 homers in his five seasons with the Mets, is asking for a larger payday. His camp initially proposed a high-value three-year deal, but the Mets’ counteroffer, worth around $68-70 million, was turned down. It places the Mets in an intricate situation: lose their star first baseman and find an alternative.

Should the Mets fail to secure Guerrero, the Mets could turn to trade options, like Atlanta’s Matt Olson and the Cubs’ Cody Bellinger. Olson, who hit 38 home runs and drove in 118 RBIs in 2024, brings powerful left-handed bat production. In addition, Bellinger, coming off a resurgence season with a .307 batting average and 27 home runs, adds defensive flexibility. Olson is locked in for the next two seasons, and Bellinger signed for one more year, making them realistic trade targets if the Mets need a quick solution.

As the Mets face uncertainty, their upcoming approach has become a vital talking point in MLB circles. This tug-of-war for star players highlights the Mets-Blue Jays dynamic. It also establishes the stage for the most compelling offseasons in recent memory. The stakes are high, and the decisions made will highlight which team enhances as a true contender. What do you think the Mets need to do next? Share below.