Pete Alonso Rumors: Blue Jays Linked to Mets FA amid Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Trade Buzz
January 16, 2025
As there still appears to be an impasse between the New York Mets and free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso, other teams are reportedly starting to make a push to sign him.
According to Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the market for Alonso "is heating up, with three teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, engaged in discussions for the power-hitting first baseman, league sources said."
Interestingly, SNY's Andy Martino reported on Wednesday that the Mets had a conversation with the Blue Jays "checking in" on the availability of first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
However, Sammon and Rosenthal noted that Toronto's pursuit of Alonso doesn't mean that the team is ready to part ways with Guerrero, as the more intriguing option would be to pair them up as a power-hitting duo.
"If the Blue Jays landed Alonso, they'd still prefer to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a person familiar with the club's thinking said. Guerrero played 12 games at third base last year, and he and Alonso could serve as the club's designated hitters," Sammon and Rosenthal stated.
The Blue Jays have struggled to make a splash in free agency this offseason despite their attempts to land a big-name player. Toronto tried to sign star outfielder Juan Soto before the Mets landed him on a historic 15-year, $765 million deal.
However, the tides appear to be turning for the Blue Jays, as they recently signed All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million deal. Toronto is also reportedly one of three finalists for Japanese pitcher Rōki Sasaki, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
Adding Alonso would give the Blue Jays the big bat they've been seeking for quite some time, so it can be expected that they will be aggressive in their chase to sign him.
