The New York Mets made a huge offseason splash by signing outfielder Juan Soto to a $765 million deal. President of baseball operations David Stearns still needs to fill a hole at first base. Will the club re-sign Pete Alonso to protect Soto in the lineup, or could they instead acquire Vladimir Guerrero Jr. via trade with the Toronto Blue Jays?
With the way the market has played out, the Mets appear to be the “most obvious fit” for Alonso. It would likely make many Mets fans happy to keep the homegrown slugger in Queens. However, Stearns and Co. might be wary of bidding against themselves in contract negotiations.
New York has reportedly offered Alonso an opt-out heavy three-year, $90 million contract so far. If negotiations fall apart and the Polar Bear lands with a new team, the Mets won’t have many legitimate options available to fill that void at first base. What might it take to convince the Jays to send Guerrero to New York?
– Mets receive: first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
– Blue Jays receive: infielder Ronny Mauricio, outfielder Ryan Clifford, right-handed pitcher Tylor Megill and right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell
Riley noted Megill could immediately be plugged into Toronto’s big-league roster. Mauricio missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL, but he could soon be ready for MLB action once fully healthy, as well. Clifford (fourth), Mauricio (sixth) and Tidwell (eighth) are all top 10 prospects in the Mets’ system, per MLB.com.
MLB Trade Rumors is projecting Guerrero to earn $29.6 million via his last year of arbitration in 2025. The 25-year-old could be looking for at least $500 million in the next multi-year deal he signs, as well.