The Mets are sitting pretty atop baseball with a 21-11 record, and Pete Alonso’s scorching start has been a driving force behind their success. The slugging first baseman is putting up MVP-caliber numbers with a .342/.475/.649 slash line that’s making his two-year contract look like a bargain.
There’s just one problem: Alonso’s deal includes a player opt-out after this season, and Mets owner Steve Cohen has already acknowledged that Alonso will likely exercise that option to test free agency again.
It’s a fascinating situation for a Mets team that’s been spending aggressively. Cohen opened his wallet wider than ever this past winter, handing Juan Soto a record-breaking $765 million contract, bringing back Sean Manaea on a $75 million deal, and snagging Yankees All-Star reliever Clay Holmes.
But what happens when Alonso hits the open market? The Mets could certainly try to re-sign their homegrown star, but they might also look elsewhere. Jon Conahan suggested for Heavy that the team could pivot to Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor as a potential replacement.
“The New York Mets have a few options to consider, including Josh Naylor of the Arizona Diamondbacks,” Conahan wrote. “Naylor isn’t in the same caliber as Alonso, but he’s been very good throughout his career and is enjoying some early success with the Diamondbacks, hitting .318 with four home runs.”
Naylor, who was traded to Arizona this past offseason after an All-Star campaign with Cleveland that included 31 home runs, is also heading toward free agency after signing a one-year, $10.9 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The 27-year-old Naylor is continuing his strong play in 2025, slashing .319/.395/.504 with four homers so far. Spotrac projects his next contract at around $100 million over five years.
That’s likely to be significantly less than what Alonso commands on the open market. Naylor is also several years younger than Alonso, which could make him an appealing alternative if the Mets decide to move on from their current first baseman.
It’s still early, but the Mets will have to start thinking about their contingency plans. While fans would hate to see Alonso leave, Naylor’s production and age profile might help soften the blow if the team decides to go in a different direction.
