With spring training quickly coming, the New York Mets still have a void at first base. The best candidate to fill that gap is free-agent slugger Pete Alonso, but baseball operations president David Stearns could be searching elsewhere for outside help. Could he make a deal for the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?
As talks with Alonso drag on, Stearns and the Mets have apparently inquired about Guerrero’s availability. Additionally, New York will consider in-house candidates like Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, who are also infielders. Jesse Winker, who recently re-signed, may also be a possibility.
But none of these alternatives would be as effective as regaining Alonso or figuring out how to acquire Guerrero. Could the Mets force the 25-year-old slugger to leave Toronto?
In a recent video, Jim Riley of Ballcap Sports assessed hypothetical transactions. He developed his own suggestion after considering two distinct options involving Guerrero and the Mets and Blue Jays:
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is acquired by the Mets.
The following are acquired by the Blue Jays: outfielder Drew Gilbert, right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell, right-handed pitcher Tylor Megill, and infielder Ronny Mauricio.
The Mets would have a top-tier slugger in the lineup to shield outfielder Juan Soto. Before he becomes a free agent in 2025, he will earn $28.5 million. Along with two elite prospects in Tidwell and Gilbert, it would also offer Toronto two MLB-ready players in Megill and Mauricio. It would also create a slot for Alonso to be signed by the Jays.
Given that the Blue Jays have committed to paying outfielder Anthony Santander $92.5 million over the next five seasons, it doesn’t seem probable that they will trade Guerrero away at this time. However, there will still be a chance of a move until Guerrero signs an extension.
