Bracing for a possible future without their slugger Pete Alonso, the New York Mets are tapping into some serious versatility. Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, two of the club’s rising stars, have been told to get their gloves dirty at first base. Both Baty and Vientos have solidified their spots at third base, but this new assignment? It’s the Mets’ way of getting ready for a potential ‘what-if’. Now, the question is: are they getting their ducks in a row just in case, or is this a full-on contingency plan?

Mark Vientos, the ever-adaptable player, has already been working on the switch. According to the New York Post, Swaggy V met with manager Carlos Mendoza and infield coach Mike Sarbaugh, who laid out some drills that split his time between first and third base. The work is happening down in South Florida, where Vientos is getting hands-on guidance from Mets’ Single-A manager Luis Rivera.

Meanwhile, Baty’s also been getting a crash course in versatility. The Texas native is working on not just third base but also first and second. With questions looming about Pete Alonso’s future in New York, the front office is clearly betting on homegrown talent to fill any potential gaps in the lineup, at least for now. The plan is to see if one of their young studs—Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, or Luisangel Acuña—can break through and grab a starting role.

The key here? Flexibility—and making sure that the budget isn’t tied up in positions that could evolve internally. But hey, if it doesn’t work out early in the season, the Mets aren’t going to panic. They’ve got plenty of time, with the July trade deadline hanging out there like a safety net.

What are Pete Alonso’s options now?

The Angels are clearly looking to shake off the ghosts of their disastrous 2024 season, and signing Pete Alonso could be the spark they need to reignite their offense. After watching Mike Trout struggle with injuries and Anthony Rendon’s elusive presence on the field, the Halos desperately need a reliable power hitter who can stay healthy. Alonso, with his consistent ability to hit 30+ home runs every year (and 40+ in three of the last five seasons), would be the perfect anchor in the middle of the lineup to protect Trout and provide the kind of run production the Angels desperately need.

Alonso’s durability is also a key selling point. While the Angels have been plagued by injuries over the past few seasons, the “Polar Bear” has shown he can stay on the field. With 162 games played in 2023 and rarely missing more than a handful of games in any given season, Alonso would give the Angels some much-needed stability. Plus, his bat would provide the kind of offensive punch the Angels need to keep pace with the juggernaut teams in the AL West.

Top Comment by Bezzie

We need him back!

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At four years and $100 million, Noah Camras’ projection might seem hefty, but it’s a price the Angels should be willing to pay to get back in the hunt. With Alonso in the mix, the Angels could finally give Trout the protection he’s lacked, and with a healthy Alonso adding 35-40 homers a season, Los Angeles might just be able to build a lineup that can compete in a division that’s only getting tougher. If the Halos can stay healthy, a dynamic duo of Mike Trout and Alonso could finally be the formula for success that fans in Anaheim have been waiting for.