Shortly after it was learned earlier this week that the Toronto Blue Jays had agreed to a five-year deal value not less than $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 despite the fact 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 now not a sensible possibility 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 believe, with Toronto,” Duquette mentioned whereas talking about Alonso, as shared by Jon Vankin of Newsweek. “They are saying they’ll be in on the offensive facet, however it does not seem to be they’ll be in for Pete Alonso. One other group which 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 steered on Tuesday that there isn’t any so-called “thriller group” competing with the Mets for the 30-year-old’s providers. 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 gained’t go a lot past three years and, say, $70M” to deliver Alonso again. Abriano noted that the Mets are “refusing to supply extra as a result of they’re performed bidding in opposition to 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 may nonetheless function lineup safety for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto.
“The aforementioned Alonso — regardless of the Mets’ current position concerning negotiations — stays with out a clear market as New York stays with out a massive 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 verify the beforehand talked about deal continues to be on the desk.