Reese Kaplan -- No, It's Not a Second Midnight Massacre

On June 15, 1977 I was just finishing my junior year in high school when the world came to a crashing halt as the midnight massacre news came out that M. Donald Grant and the Payson family virtually gave away the best player in the history of the New York Mets because apparently they were convinced by Dick Young that Tom Seaver was less important to the team than was owner pride and the cost trajectory of free agency.  

Also gone that same day was the dispatching of the club's only home run hitting threat, Dave Kingman, off to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Paul Siebert and future manager Bobby Valentine.  The sting from that one was a mosquito bite compared to encountering a great white shark while taking a casual dip in your back yard swimming pool.

I bring up these bad memories seeing the face of the franchise and the all-or-nothing bat sent packing on the same day because many years have passed and it's not possible for the same thing to happen again...or is it?

Now we're not going over the prospect of trading multiple Hall of Fame bound pitchers in the same couple of days for prospects by owner Steve Cohen.  These moves were not done to spite the fans, to stroke his ego nor to relieve the team from huge payroll burdens.  None of that is true and while everyone went from disbelief to outright shock over these and other mid summer moves the Mets made, the fact is that after taking a long breath most fans and media felt what was done made sense in the long run.

However, in the "You ain't seen nothing yet" moment, more than once it's been reported in the media that the Mets were entertaining the possibiliy of trading away one Pete Alonso both during this 2023 fall from grace and again as an offseason possibility as the man approaches free agency.  After the 2024 season Alonso is eligible to sell himself off to the highest bidder and despite the QO he would get and the corresponding compensatory draft pick the team would receive when he turns them down, it's time to entertain the seemingly unthinkable question.

For anyone who's been awake since debuting as a rookie, Pete Alonso has been better than folks had hoped.  He has record setting power and the ability to drive any pitcher out of any ballpark seemingly at will. Even with his long slump this season, he's still within threatening distance to contend for the league's lead in home runs and his last week or so reminds people of his multiple Home Run Derby victories at the All Star Game.  No, he doesn't run very well and his fielding is adequate at best, but he's being paid to hit the ball and drive runners home.

So if the front office brain trust wants to consider cashing in on Pete Alonso now rather than extending his contract or simply losing him as a free agent, what would be a fair price for the club to receive from a well heeled buyer?  Bear in mind his .220 or thereabouts batting average is not going to help his cause and his early departure from the Home Run Derby puts a crimp in his golden robe.

Still, any team would benefit from a regular 40 homer plus hitter who doesn't have any alcohol, drug, domestic abuse nor PED baggage associated with all he's accomplished.  Arguably first base is the easiest role for a team to fill, so losing out on Alonso would mean the Mets would either look to trades, free agency or in-house options to take over the Polar Bear's big shoes.

In the trades of Sherzer, Velander and Robertson the Mets were paying down salary on end-of-their-career players who are solid superstars at what they did.  Thse moves took big payroll contributions to entince the inclusion of truly top leverl prospects to make the deals palatable.  

In Alonso's case, he's quite a bit younger, entering his prime years for the foreseeable future and in a way even a more valuable asset for Steve Cohen and Billy Eppler to dangle under other team's front office noses.  What indeed would it take?

This speculation is just that, but it would seem that the Mets want young, controllable folks in return who address issues they face in rapidly rebuilding the team into contention.  Obviously they need starting pitching, relief pitching and outfielders.  DH is a sore spot as well.  So looking into a crystal ball of sorts, what would it take?

I would expect that unlike the Seaver trade which netted reigning Rookie of the Year Pat Zachry and glove man extraordinaire Doug Flynn, the other two assets received were minor leaguers -- Steve Henderson and Dan Norman.  Frankly it wasn't much of a haul for a multi Cy Young Award winning pitcher on his way to Cooperstown.  

Consequently in a prospective Alonso trade I would think an already established young starting pitcher, a solid middle reliever, a solid young outfielder and a high level prospect at any unblocked position would be the type of package to get the team's attention.  Also bear in mind that to make this trade the receiving team is taking a huge chance because Pete Alonso could be a short stay candidate who would only give them the 2024 season and still venture off to see what he could earn in free agency.  Maybe the Mets could package him a deal reminiscent of what happened with Johann Santana when as the receiving team the Mets had an opportunity to negotiate an extension.  

Still, without naming names of players moving around, it would seem that the other question is whether or not the Mets would be smart or dumb to consider such a move.  They could stick Mark Vientos at first base for a year and see how he does.  They could sign someone as a free agent.  They could make a trade.  Any of these options would put a body at first base.  

Then there's the matter of managing assets in terms of payroll and roster.  Keeping Pete Alonso here for the 2024 season obligates the team to extend him to a contract that would likely dwarf what they gave Francisco Lindor, or they run the risk of losing him for a draft pick in free agency.  That's gotta hurt.

Finally there is the issue of filling holes in the roster with more Luisangel Acuna types or even established young stars like David Bednar (nor that the Pirates would be a likely trade destination).  Not spending on Alonso and simultaneously receiving multiple replacement players of top quality would indeed be enticing.  It would also be an example of good business because as much as Alonso has done for the Mets he hasn't nearly developed the affinity between the fans and media that Tom Seaver did.  Getting real assets whose payroll demands would be far lower could make an MBA holder very happy indeed.

I'm not advocating the trade of Pete Alonso, but like any other prospective baseball transaction I would like to hear what is offered.  No one says you have to agree to it but you'll never know if you never ask.