3 players whose 2024 performance can factor into how far the Mets go to sign Pete Alonso

Heading into his final year before free agency, the thought of Pete Alonso in another uniform is becoming a reality. The New York Mets first baseman is fully expected to test free agency and understandably, seek the best contract he can get.

Mets fans have been speculating for months about what the future may hold. Analyzing how David Stearns handled the position during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers only gives us a little bit of insight into his way of thinking. The situation in New York is much different. Alonso is one of the most popular players who’ve worn the blue and orange. He can do no wrong in the eyes of many.

One factor in determining how far the Mets will go to sign Alonso will be the performance of others. In 2024, how these three players do could play a significant role in letting Alonso walk or holding him more tightly. In the end, how much they think he’s worth versus how much he’s asking for as a free agent in dollars and years will matter most. So will seeing available alternatives evolve or devolve.

3) Brett Baty

Across the diamond from Alonso is third baseman Brett Baty. What could he possibly have to do with Alonso’s future in Queens?

There are three likely outcomes for Baty in 2024. The one we’re hoping for is he looks like a major league third baseman both at the plate and in the field. Nobody expects him to become a Gold Glove contender. Serviceable is more realistic. In this case, Baty won’t factor much into any Alonso decision. A lousy year offensively and defensively won’t contribute much either.

On the other hand, a huge year at the plate and an equally as bad or worse one as a defensive play may. Baty is only in the major leagues because of his proven bat at the minor league level. Although it has yet to happen nor is anyone expecting some sort of a ticking clock for it to occur, a switch over to first base is one solution to keep him in the starting lineup.

Baty has played some left field in the minors, but the Mets haven’t allowed him to roam the position at the major league level yet. With them pivoting to Harrison Bader in center field and appearing to have Brandon Nimmo in left field more permanently, we shouldn’t expect Baty to move there. First base could be a different story.

Baty would need to have a monstrous season to come close to replacing Alonso. So would anyone else. A bad defensive year but a terrific one at the plate might have the Mets thinking about a position change.

2) Ryan Clifford

A little further down the line when it comes to replacing Alonso, we find prospect Ryan Clifford in the minors buried behind the timeline of a few others. Clifford isn’t going to get to the show this year. By some point in 2025, the possibility exists.

The left-handed hitting 20-year-old smashed 24 home runs in 511 plate appearances last year in Single-A. His numbers did decline post-trade deadline upon joining the Mets organization via the Houston Astros. This 32-game stretch wasn’t enough to erase him from any top prospect lists.

Clifford has spent his professional career at first base and both corner outfield spots plus some time as a DH. He’d be far more of a natural first baseman than corner outfield with the ability to occasionally move to one of those outfield spots as needed.

A big year from him in 2024 will play some sort of a role in any Alonso decision. He’s the obvious long-term replacement in the farm system for Alonso if he was to exit the Mets clubhouse forever. There is a lot more he needs to prove. A temporary solution at the start of the 2025 season with Clifford in line to be the Opening Day starter at first base by 2026 seems to fit well enough into the timeline.

A down year from Clifford won’t completely eliminate him from a future spot on the Mets roster. It could just mean the Mets think twice about letting Alonso leave.

1) Mark Vientos

Nobody may push the Mets toward letting Alonso walk more than Mark Vientos. His rise to prominence as a major league player in 2024 will offer them a clear backup plan at first base. Unlikely to suddenly become an acceptable defensive player at third base, the next best situation is for him to master first base in whatever opportunities he may get.

The plan for Vientos in 2024 will have him starting at both infield spots with the majority of his at-bats coming as a DH. This is the year where the Mets will know for sure if he’s a member of their future going forward. Down to his final minor league option, they’re running out of time to kick the decision down the road.

A bad year from Vientos won’t make the Mets desperate to keep Alonso. A big year will make him a little easier to lose, depending a lot on how Godzilla-like the performance is. The Mets could conceivably have both on the team again next season with Alonso as the first baseman and Vientos continuing on as a corner infielder/primary DH.

We all expect the Mets to spend a lot more money next offseason. Beyond these three players who may end up replacing Alonso at first base, how some of the pitching prospects perform will factor into any major spending sprees, too. The Mets will need to replace virtually their entire pitching staff—again. They’ll allocate only so much money there as well as the offense.

In either case, those who want Alonso to stick around should hope for the best out of everyone. Anything short of Vientos winning the National League MVP will leave them room and reason to keep Alonso. Stearns committed the 2024 season to safeguarding the club from troubling contracts in 2025. All he’ll need is a reason to avoid any other long-term ones. Baty, Clifford, and Vientos can become a reason.

This article was originally published on risingapple.com as 3 players whose 2024 performance can factor into how far the Mets go to sign Pete Alonso.