After the Astros executed a trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for third basemen Isaac Paredes and top prospect Cam Smith, it signaled the end for Alex Bregman in Houston.
This opened up a world of teams interested in the veteran third baseman, who is exploring free agency for the first time in his career, including the Mets, who Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported are “in on” the two-time World Series winner.
As it stands, the Mets need a corner infield, either at first or third base. The leading candidates appear to be Bregman at the hot corner and Pete Alonso at first base.
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Bregman is a Gold Glove-winning third baseman who would instantly improve the Mets defensively.
Mark Vientos, who is currently the team’s everyday third baseman, did a decent job at the corner, posting the best fielding percentage (.980) among players at the position (minimum 850 innings). But his advance stats left a lot to be desired — his -6 defensive runs saved and outs above average each ranked second to last and last respectively at third.
Adding Bregman, who is projected to get 7-years, $189 million, per The Athletic, would allow the Mets to move Vientos to first base, where less is expected of him defensively. It would also be asking a lot of the young slugger in his second full season with the team — what if Vientos hits a sophomore slump and can’t replicate his 2024 campaign?
This move would rule the Mets out on Alonso, who is seen as a favorable lineup option after the historic Juan Soto signing, and thus render the club less powerful.
Alonso’s 226 home runs trail only Yankees captain Aaron Judge (232) since Alonso first debuted in 2019. This is even though Judge had a pair of seasons in which he led MLB with 62 and 58 home runs.
Alonso is beloved by his teammates and fans at Citi Field. Mets owner Steve Cohen also has a sense of loyalty to his players and would see value in having a lifelong Met cross the 500 home run threshold in blue and orange — the price tag on this is difficult to calculate.
The Athletic projects Alonso to get a five-year, $130 million contract, which carries an AAV of $26 million, $1 million less than Bregman.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns acknowledged recently that his philosophy is not to commit long-term contracts to players into their 30s. With Alonso potentially accepting a shorter contract at a lower AAV, the move might be to stick with the homegrown guy.
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Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.
