After signing outfielder Juan Soto to a staggering $765 million contract, the New York Mets stunned the baseball community. But baseball operations president David Stearns’ winter is far from over.
Could he use Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to take Pete Alonso’s spot as first baseman? Five teams attempted to lure Soto away from New York, including Toronto. Guerrero’s long-term future with the Blue Jays is uncertain because the club’s pursuit was unsuccessful. He will make $29.6 million in 2025, his final season before becoming a free agent, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Will Toronto attempt to bind him to a high-paying multi-year contract worth more than $500 million? Or will the Blue Jays look to the trade market to see what they can get for the 26-year-old? After losing out on Soto, Cody Williams of FanSided listed four possible trade partners the Blue Jays should take into account for Guerrero. He mentioned the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and the Mets. “Even considering the possibility of an immediate core lineup of Soto, Guerrero and Francisco Lindor is enough to send a trickle down the leg of any opposing pitcher,” Williams stated. “What’s more, with the possibility of Pete Alonso leaving Queens in free agency this offseason as well, the Mets would have a better and younger replacement coming in with Vladdy to fill that void.” Williams said that because of the wealth and competitive spirit of Mets owner Steve Cohen, it would not be difficult to keep Guerrero in Queens for the long term. However, Alonso’s predicament remains unresolved.
The Mets are still pursuing Alonso through free agency even after signing Soto to the most lucrative contract in baseball history. Stearns stated on Monday, “We’d love to bring Pete back,” according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. “Pete has been an outstanding Met. We’ll see where that goes, but he had some huge hits for us.” Compared to Alonso, Guerrero is younger and has greater potential, particularly off a 2024 season in which he recorded a.940 OPS with 30 home runs, 44 doubles, 103 RBI, and 98 runs scored. Alonso, on the other hand, would be less expensive to keep than Guerrero and has been among baseball’s top power hitters since 2019. If Alonso leaves Queens, it will be intriguing to watch where he ends up and how the Mets respond.
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