The New York Mets are facing a major dilemma this offseason, and that’s whether to try and retain Pete Alonso or not. He may ask for more money than they’re comfortable giving, and that would mean they would need to find a replacement.
However, there may be one much more cost-effective replacement available to them this offseason. That would be Seattle Mariners All-Star Josh Naylor, whom Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes the Mets will steal away.
“And at the end of the day, though, free agency is a ruthless business, and Seattle traditionally does not spend on the level of other coastal markets with deeper pockets. The New York Mets in particular appear primed to move on from Pete Alonso. Steve Cohen is the richest owner in MLB, and Naylor fits GM David Stearns' team-building vision far more cleanly than Alonso ever did. He's also available at a lower price tag,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Naylor slashed.295/.353/.462/.816 with 29 doubles, 20 home runs, 92 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 147 games played. While he doesn’t have the power of Alonso, he has more speed and still swings for power and average.
Kline also noted this is more likely to happen due to the fact that it would reunite Naylor with his old Cleveland Guardians teammate, Francisco Lindor. Lindor could be used in negotiations, which would help the Mets’ case even more.
Hopefully, the Mets get to work on bringing Naylor to Queens; otherwise, the Mariners will definitely put everything they can into retaining him.
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