The season of speculation is upon us with the trade deadline nearing. With teams looking to improve or invest in their future, there’s a lot to unpack. However, just like 2023, this deadline day also depends on the New York Mets. Will they be sellers once again? If yes, will Pete Alonso be made available? At least according to a top insider, two teams could be looking anxiously toward the Kings of the Queens.

Though their situations are wildly different, their needs are similar. The teams are, of course, the Houston Astros and their AL West rival the Seattle Mariners. On one hand, there’s the Mariners who have quickly become favorites of the division. With their lead growing with each passing day, they hope to turn this trade deadline into a victory march. But on the other hand, the Astros still can’t get out of their early season slump. As a result, it becomes imperative for them to find a way before it’s too late.

In his Tuesday piece, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden noted that “Pete Alonso is expected to be the biggest power bat traded at the deadline.” However, the interesting part was something else. Bowden named six teams that could possibly be in on the race. Among the usual players like the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants, it was the Astros and the Mariners that caught readers’ eye.

Even though Pete Alonso has been the quintessential Mr. New York Mets, there’s a growing understanding that maybe a trade could be possible. The Metsies are in the middle of a rebuild and 17 games behind the division leader – the Philadelphia Phillies. So it makes sense that a trade could be a possibility. 

As for Alonso – despite not being in the best of form he could bring some much-needed explosiveness to both these teams. Something that they’ll desperately need as the season progresses.

How Pete Alonso’s power could improve the Mariners or Astros 

Despite not having a great season yet, Polar Bear has still hit 14 home runs for the Mets. More importantly, this is a man who has hit 40 or more homers three times in his career.  Though the Houston Astros’ hitting staff has never been their problem, having even more attack depth certainly wouldn’t hurt this season. 

The Mariners too could consolidate their position and further challenge in the playoff spot through Pete Alonso. Even more so because of his defensive output. However, even if the Mets trade the superstar, it’s expected that they’ll go after him during his free agency. But then that raises an important question – how many players have rejoined the team that traded them during their free agency? The numbers might not be high and the risks could be big. But maybe the Mets have no other choice.