The New York Yankees were not able to replace the pop in the lineup provided by Juan Soto’s bat in 2025 after the New York Mets signed away one of the best players in baseball from the Bronx last offseason to a 15-year, $765 million deal.
While it’s not a direct one-to-one comparison, the Yankees could get a measure of revenge this offseason by signing Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. AllSportsPeople’ Dan Treacy suggests the Pinstripes could pursue Alonso even against their best judgment with other pressing moves to make around the roster.
“The Yankees could make Ben Rice their full-time first baseman, or they could platoon him. Then, there is the third option: with offensive questions at catcher, shortstop and third base, New York could go all in and bring Pete Alonso to the Bronx after the Mets brought Juan Soto to Queens last winter,” Treacy wrote.
“Alonso might not be Soto, but he doesn't have to be. He has been one of the most durable players in baseball since he debuted, consistently threatens the 40-home run mark and recorded 80 extra-base hits in 2025. The contact bat is a wild card — Alonso hit.272 in 2025 but.240 in 2024 and.217 in 2023 — but the package is complete enough to potentially entice the Yankees.”
Brian Cashman probably knows better than to get caught up spending big on someone who plays a position the team isn’t exactly hurting for depth at. New York is better off trading Ben Rice now than platooning him in 2026 and lowering his trade value.
Before adding another feast-or-famine power bat in the middle of the lineup, Cashman should be exploring rotation and bullpen arms. Possibly a player who is versatile enough to bounce back and forth. Treacy suggested the Cincinnati Reds' Nick Martinez for that role.
The Yankees being petty to spite the Mets puts the Pinstripes on their level. NYY has always been above that when it comes to NYM. If anything, the Yanks should be up to their old tricks and trying to steal away the Boston Red Sox’s top targets.
Unless, of course, it’s a target like Alonso, and pettiness is once again taking precedence over deliberate roster-building.