The Other Hot Corner – If not Alonso, then who?
There are many standout players up for free agency this offseason, and with negotiations starting, the potential placements and correlating contract values are all baseball fans can think about.
At the top of Mets fans’ minds are first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielder Juan Soto. The likelihood of any MLB club having both players is certainly slim given the projected contracts these two are in the market for. Both are seeking long-term and high-value deals. Mets’ President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, had spoken to the media at the start of the GM Meetings earlier last week to address a priority for short-term contracts when it comes to free agents.
Big Shoes to Fill
In the event first baseman Pete Alonso signs elsewhere, the Mets will need a solid first baseman and/or a just-as-good-if-not-better hitter as a replacement. Alonso, who has historically batted in the three/four spot of the lineup, showed some great defensive ability at the bag in the 2024 season.
Mets infielder Mark Vientos is a solid hitter who had some exceptionally clutch moments in the postseason, and is a potential fit at first base for the 2025 season.
However, most Mets fans would agree that the preference is to have him at third base (holding on to the idea the Mets will extend Alonso a fitting offer to stay in Queens) where he showed out in a phenomenal postseason at the hot corner.
If not Alonso himself, the fit for first base could come from a short-term deal in the free agent market.
3. Paul Goldschmidt
The 37-year-old first baseman could be a potential replacement for the Polar Bear in Queens as he is in the market for a short-term deal, knowing he is nearing retirement. The Mets had expressed a priority in short-term contracts, so a league veteran with a heavy bat could be a decent fit if Alonso signs elsewhere. Goldschmidt put up a .245 AVG / .719 OPS for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024.
2. Carlos Santana
At 38 – A high-value-long-term deal is not likely for Carlos Santana. He put up some decent numbers in the 2024 season including .238 AVG and an OPS of .420 with the Minnesota Twins. He’s an even more ideal snag for a short-term first baseman – Not only with a decent bat – But as per Baseball Savant, Santana is the only first baseman on the top 20 Outs Above Average Leaderboard with a 14 OAA.
1. Christian Walker
Coming off the Arizona Diamondbacks, 33-year-old first baseman Christian Walker is without a doubt the most ideal replacement for Pete Alonso at the bag. At the top of this free agency class alongside those projected heavy-hitters and long-term signings, the 2024 (and three-time) Gold Glove winner put up a .253 AVG with an .800+ OPS with 26 home runs. He is a solid fit for the bill. Given his age, Walker is likely in the market for the short-term deal Stearns/Cohen are willing to shell out.
And to the Stearns/Cohen dynamic duo…
— Gab (@gabrauc) October 5, 2024
