Justin Verlander isn't the only New York Mets star up for grabs ahead of the 6 PM MLB trade deadline.
The New York Mets kicked the MLB trade deadline into high gear with the Max Scherzer trade. Now, all eyes remain fixated on New York as Justin Verlander rumors build to a crescendo in advance of the 6 PM E.T. deadline. Verlander, however, is not the only Mets star on the table.
According to a new bombshell report from Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic, New York is listening to trade offers for All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso. This is a sudden and shocking revelation as the Mets reckon with a disappointing 2023 season and the most expensive roster in baseball.
While "the bar is high to meet," per statements from Mets GM Billy Eppler, Alonso has been on the market for a week. The Mets are tempering expectations for next season and listening to offers for players whose contracts expire in 2024. That would qualify both Verlander and Alonso.
MLB Rumors: New York Mets open trade discussions on star 1B Pete Alonso
An Alonso trade would certainly change the feel and direction of the franchise. In five years with the franchise, Alonso has made three All-Star teams and finished top-10 in MVP voting twice. He's also a two-time HR Derby champ, the kind of natural showman who does well on the Big Apple stage.
This hasn't been Alonso's best season at the plate — his average has dipped to .218 and his extra-base hit numbers are low — but he still has 30 dingers and counting. His power has been a staple of the Mets' offense since his rookie season. New York would look very different without Alonso batting cleanup.
Other key players on the Mets are safe. Francisco Lindor, for example, is under contract through 2031. New York is accepting a cold, harsh reality at the trade deadline: the NL East belongs to Atlanta right now and the most expensive roster in the MLB simply isn't prepared to contend. A soft financial reset and roster retool is the right move.
Alonso would presumably furnish the system with a massive trade haul. He's one of the best power hitters in the sport and he's not a half-season rental. His next team would be guaranteed at least one full year of service in 2024 with a head start on convincing him to re-sign long term next winter.
"We are willing in certain circumstances to use [owner Steve Cohen's] investment and repurpose that investment to serve the larger goal," Eppler told The Athletic. The key word here is "repurpose." The Mets are punting on the next two seasons with the hopes of re-emerging in a more friendly competitive ecosystem when the time is right. This is not the Mets giving up on their World Series pursuit; it's simply a shifting of the timeline.
Alonso's future will come into question in a big way next season if New York can't find a deal before the deadline. There should be no rush, and Alonso could absolutely be part of the next push New York is planning. But, don't be shocked if someone makes an offer the Mets can't refuse for a slugger of Alonso's caliber.