The New York Mets made a major move this offseason, signing outfielder Juan Soto to a record $765 million contract. Now, President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, is left to fill the first base position. The question remains: Will the Mets re-sign Pete Alonso to support Soto in the lineup, or will they opt to trade for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays?
Considering how the market has developed, the Mets seem like the “most obvious fit” for Alonso, a move that would surely please many Mets fans eager to keep the homegrown slugger in Queens. However, Stearns and the Mets may be cautious about engaging in a bidding war during contract talks.
Reports indicate that the Mets have offered Alonso a three-year, $90 million contract with an opt-out clause. If negotiations fall apart and Alonso moves to another team, the Mets would face a challenge in filling the first base gap. What would it take for the Blue Jays to trade Guerrero to New York?
Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports suggested the following hypothetical trade scenario:
Mets receive: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., first baseman
Blue Jays receive: Ronny Mauricio (infielder), Ryan Clifford (outfielder), Tylor Megill (right-handed pitcher), Blade Tidwell (right-handed pitcher)
Riley pointed out that Megill could contribute to Toronto’s major league roster right away. Mauricio, who missed the 2024 season due to a torn ACL, could be MLB-ready once healthy. Clifford (4th), Mauricio (6th), and Tidwell (8th) all rank in the Mets’ top 10 prospects according to MLB.com.
Guerrero is projected to earn $29.6 million in his final year of arbitration in 2025 and may command a deal worth at least $500 million in his next contract.
