The New York Mets are a strong contender to sign free agent third baseman Alex Bregman away from the Boston Red Sox this offseason. If that happens, it may not take long for the BoSox to get their lick back.
Heavy Sports’ Matt Skillings believes the Red Sox can sign free agent first baseman Pete Alonso away from the Mets, stealing one of Flushing’s longest-tenured fan favorites as a “retaliatory move.”
“If Alex Bregman does sign a contract with the New York Mets, it could light a fire under Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow to make a retaliatory move and sign Alonso. Boston has shown penny-pinching instincts in recent years, albeit before last season when they signed Bregman, Garrett Crochet and a slew of youngsters to deals,” Skillings wrote.
“Signing Alonso makes all the sense in the world for Boston. First and foremost, it would prove to the fanbase that the days of trying the ‘moneyball’ approach are over, and that the Red Sox are invested in spending money to win.
“Secondly, Alonso fills a vital need for Boston, both in the lineup and in the field. Without Bregman and Rafael Devers who was traded last season, power hitting was a huge concern for the Red Sox last season, a role Alonso could fill to perfection, especially with the green monster on his side for 81 games a season.”
Steve Cohen is expected to be aggressive in bringing on new talent, given how disappointing the 2025 season ended in Queens. Bregman’s power is not what it once was, and Citi Field’s non-batter-friendly outfield may further stifle his home run potential. Still, he’s a great fielder and has maintained a solid average as a middle-of-the-lineup bat.
As for Alonso, his bat still has pop, and as a pull hitter, he could be a frequent flyer out top of the Green Monster. Alonso is perfectly built for Fenway Park like few other hitters in the modern game.
This free agency “trade” could benefit both sides. We’ll see who acts first, and if the two teams will be intertwined at all this offseason.