Mets sign Braves World Series champion to join Juan Soto amid Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz departures

Hunter Cookston

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Mets sign Braves World Series champion to join Juan Soto amid Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz departures image

The New York Mets are not having a smooth offseason as things continue to unfold. After signing closer Devin Williams, Edwin Díaz became hesitant about returning, and the very next day Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles. Despite the losses, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns believes the organization remains in a good position.

““I also understand that our fans naturally have an attachment, as we do as well have an attachment, to players who have been here and have performed here for a long time. And we do take that into account, and it is part of the decisions that we have made,” he said. “We also have to be very cognizant of making the decisions that are going to allow us to compete now and also fit in with the future years when we want to consistently be a World Series-caliber team and World Series-caliber organization.”

With Alonso leaving, the Mets have lost a major power bat in the middle of the lineup. That creates a significant disadvantage for Juan Soto, who could now be pitched around far more frequently.

““You’ve now paid, unless you get a bat, Juan Soto to walk 150 times a year,” MLB Network’s Ron Darling said on air.

After the departures of Díaz and Alonso, the Mets remained quiet on the transaction front—until Monday, when New York signed former World Series champion Cristian Pache.

“Mets agree to deal with Cristian Pache @ragazzoreport 1st,” MLB reporter Jon Heyman wrote.

This is far from the big move Mets fans were hoping for, and the signing may only add to the growing frustration. While there is still plenty of time left in the offseason, dissatisfaction among the fanbase continues to build.

Pache has not seen consistent playing time throughout his career and has struggled to capitalize on the opportunities he has received. He has spent time with both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, meaning he has now played for more than half of the teams in the NL East. Pache will be hoping to finally stick with the Mets and carve out a role moving forward.

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