Pete Alonso's days with the New York Mets may not be over just yet, but the team is certainly working hard to find a backup plan.
For nearly two weeks now, the Mets and Alonso have been estranged.
New York presented Alonso with a three-year offer worth roughly $70 million that the slugger rejected, then owner Steve Cohen spoke candidly about his discomfort with the negotiations between the Mets and Alonso's camp over the weekend.
Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers was a name that surfaced in trade rumors last week, as the Mets were known to be sniffing around the former number-one overall pick. But now, we can add a second potential trade candidate to the Mets' list.
According to a Tuesday report from New York Mets of Sports Illustrated's Pat Ragazzo, the Mets have looked into a deal for another first baseman on a rookie contract: Ryan Mountcastle.
"In addition to Torkelson, the Mets have also discussed a potential trade for Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle as a possible replacement option for Alonso, sources told Mets On SI," Ragazzo wrote.
"Mountcastle, who will turn 28-years-old in February, comes with two years of control and is set to make just $6.787 million in 2025."
In his five-year Orioles career, Mountcastle has a .265/.316/.450 slash line, good for a 114 OPS+. He was perhaps the single player most victimized by the lengthened left-field dimensions at Camden Yards, so there's a strong chance his power numbers could increase in 2025.
Of course, trade check-ins are common at this time of year, and there's no guarantee the Mets and Orioles will ever see eye-to-eye on an asking price. But it's good from a fan's perspective to know that the team is turning over every stone.
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