The more games the New York Mets lose, a trade may come in the form of slugger Pete Alonso. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, he reported that the Chicago Cubs are “the obvious potential suitor” if the New York Mets decide to trade Alonso. Heyman talked with rival executives with a few mentioning that a Mets sale would be “solid but far from spectacular”, listing the Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays as possible landing spots. Alonso is in the final year of his deal and could leave in free agency after the season. If the Mets don’t want him to walk for nothing, they will need to trade him leading up to the July 30 deadline.
Pete Alonso Linked to the Chicago Cubs
Even before the season, it was clear that the Mets wouldn’t be anywhere near contention. At 22-33, it appears the Mets are headed down the path as sellers. It will take a miracle for the Mets to leap from fourth in the National League East to catch up to the Philadelphia Phillies, who are leading the division. Earlier in May, Heyman suggested a trade is not of the question.
“Mets fans love him and might revolt (at least initially), and word is so does owner Steve Cohen. But since the Mets strongly considered an Alonso deal last summer and the Cubs are known to like him (and maybe need him), it can’t be completely ruled out if they fall out of it. Probably a long shot.”
The Cubs Are Free Falling
Following a sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs are free-falling. Chicago is 4-12 in their last 16 games as they’re quickly falling out of contention in the National League Central. They need an offensive boost as their .676 OPS is 21st in the league and 18th with 55 home runs. Alonso is the type of power bat the Cubs are missing from their lineup. He has a combined 86 home runs between 2022 and 2023.
The Cubs are a potential suitor for the reasons mentioned above. But, there’s one thing to remember: the Mets are again in Steve Cohen luxury-tax territory, they’d only receive a fourth-round draft pick if they tagged the All-Star first baseman with a qualifying offer.
Other Mets as Possible Trade Targets
New York has a few players who could be dangled in trade talk. Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and J.D. Martinez are some names who could be with different teams by the trade deadline. Severino and Martinez are on one-year deals whereas Manaea signed on for two. The Mets could get lucky by continuing to fill up the cupboards with more prospects, much like they did last season after trading Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer to the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers respectively.
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