Shortly after it was learned earlier this week that the Toronto Blue Jays had agreed to a five-year deal value at the very least $92.5M with outfielder Anthony Santander, TSN’s Scott Mitchell reported that free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso was “nonetheless in play” for the Blue Jays regardless that it is believed they need to signal first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to an extension.
Throughout a Tuesday look on the SNY “Mets Hot Stove” program, MLB Community analyst Jim Duquette indicated that the Blue Jays are not a sensible choice for Alonso until he decides he does not need to return to the New York Mets this winter.
“That is out of the equation, I feel, with Toronto,” Duquette mentioned whereas talking about Alonso, as shared by Jon Vankin of Newsweek. “They are saying they are going to be in on the offensive aspect, however it does not look like they are going to be in for Pete Alonso. One other staff that will have had curiosity in Pete is off the board.”
Duquette seemingly has had inside data concerning the Alonso saga all through the offseason, and he strongly advised on Tuesday that there is no such thing as a so-called “thriller staff” competing with the Mets for the 30-year-old’s companies. Additionally on Tuesday night, SNY manager of editorial production Danny Abriano expressed doubts that both the San Francisco Giants or Los Angeles Angels will lure the “Polar Bear” away from Queens.
Earlier within the day, Mets insider Anthony DiComo of the MLB web site wrote that “it seems clear that the Mets received’t go a lot past three years and, say, $70M” to convey Alonso again. Abriano noted that the Mets are “refusing to supply extra as a result of they’re accomplished bidding towards themselves and imagine their provide is honest.”
Some said final week that the Mets’ re-signing of outfielder and designated hitter Jesse Winker confirmed the membership was prepared to maneuver on from Alonso. Nonetheless, The Athletic’s Will Sammon mentioned on the time that the Mets had solely begun “contemplating a pivot away from re-signing” the fan-favorite slugger who might nonetheless function lineup safety for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto.
“The aforementioned Alonso — regardless of the Mets’ current position concerning negotiations — stays with no clear market as New York stays with no huge bat to assist shield Soto of their lineup. A reunion nonetheless makes tons of sense,” Abriano added on Tuesday.
Assuming Duquette is correct, Alonso’s camp could need to name Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns to ensure the beforehand talked about deal remains to be on the desk.