The Mets have yet to add a first baseman to replace Pete Alonso, but have begun to move on without him.
A deal to keep Jesse Winker for one year for $7.5 million on Thursday began a Mets pivot away from Alonso and the internal belief is that he will now sign elsewhere.
The Mets had informed Alonso’s camp in recent days that time was running out to reach an agreement because the organization did not want to miss out on other opportunities while waiting for the slugger to decide whether he would accept the Mets’ offer. team, which would not be the case. more than three years and for less than the $90 million reported recently.
Winker gives the Mets a bat to help protect them if the Alonso divorce actually goes through.
The Mets also intend to become significant players in the still-robust free agent market, of which left-hander Tanner Scott is the best remaining asset.
It’s still possible that if the Mets never do more for first base than intend to move Mark Vientos there and play an inexperienced player – Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty and/or Ronny Mauricio – at third, that Steve Cohen can always open his wallet to guard Alonso.
But, for now, the Mets were moving forward as if one of the best power hitters in their history would be playing elsewhere in 2025.
