Even as the New York Mets are enjoying Pete Alonso's 2025 resurgence, they have to be worried about their ability to keep him.
Alonso was only able to secure a "pillow contract" in free agency last winter that pays him $30 million this year and allows him to opt out and test the market again in 2025. And with his .941 OPS so far, combined with the Mets' inability to tender him a qualifying offer, Alonso has to be salivating about the offers he'll receive.
So as the season winds down, the Mets have to take stock of their potential challengers to keep Alonso, which were few and far between last winter. But did a recent blockbuster change that calculus?
The Boston Red Sox traded star designated hitter Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants a week ago, and in doing so, cleared $254.5 million in future payroll. Does that mean they're now a threat to poach Alonso?
Connor Ryan of Boston.com believes it's a distinct possibility.
"Alonso will likely opt out of his contract with New York this winter after teeing off against pitching this season. He is currently batting .293 and is on pace for 38 home runs and a whopping 135 RBI with the Mets in 2025," Ryan wrote.
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"The 30-year-old righty could be a lock to swat 30-plus home runs over the Green Monster if he signs with the Red Sox. And with Boston’s first-base situation now in flux moving forward following Triston Casas’ knee injury, the Red Sox could secure for some stability (and proven production) there with a power hitter like Alonso."
The Red Sox have long needed extra right-handed power, but they didn't look like natural suitors for Alonso at the start of the season. They added payroll with the Walker Buehler and Alex Bregman contracts, and Devers and Triston Casas were entrenched at DH and first base.
Of course, we now know that Casas is out for the entire season, and maybe longer, and Devers is a Giant. With the $254.5 million they saved on Devers' contract, the Red Sox might have an appetite for a new high-priced star.
That hasn't necessarily been Boston's way in the past, but it's something for the Mets to track as the calendar slowly creeps toward November.
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