Reese Kaplan -- One Already Gone...What About the Other?

As perhaps disturbing news to Mets fans, it appears that the expected returns of both Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz are not necessarily happening.  Once again Pete Alonso is learning that his desired long term high ticket deal is not drawing a shoving match for front position among other general managers.  His fantasy hypothetical deal for 7 years at nearly $30 million per season is not apparently on the radar.

That’s not to say he’s without suitors.  He’s meeting with Baltimore and Boston this week and oddly rumors exist that the normally tightfisted Pirates are also looking at both he and Kyle Schwarber as a big bat for the middle of their lineup.  He will find a deal, of course, but perhaps for no more than 4 years at a rate perhaps slightly lower than what he’s seeking.

On the Diaz side of things he's turned out to be a left coast kind of guy.  Word came out on Tuesday night that he signed a three year deal with the Dodgers.  There were two red flags on granting him a long term deal.  First, he’s had a very solid but inconsistent career since arriving in New York.  He seems to demonstrate his best effort on option eligible years which suggests only the promise of future riches motivates him sufficiently to perform at his highest level.

The other issue is his age.  Beginning the 2026 season he will be 32.  It’s reasonable for him to get three years, possible to get four but five is looking increasingly unlikely.  There is concern about aging hard throwing pitchers either having injuries or losing their effectiveness. For a three year deal it’s possible to see his AAV jump higher but it’s not the $100 million he was seeking. 

Swallow hard and think for a minute about what the Mets would be like if not one but both prime free agents hit the road.  Yes, they would save well over $50 million in annual payroll but would find themselves with holes that are not exactly easy to fill.

Right now the bigger of the two departures would be Pete Alonso.  We’ve already discussed the very limited in-house options for the Mets to deploy.  The free agent picks for the position do not have 100 RBI potential.  Many first basemen are there as a concession to their otherwise limited defensive abilities. 

Trades are indeed possible.  While folks likely drool over somehow acquiring the likes of someone like Bryce Harper, the reality is that the front office has two possible approaches. One would be finding a younger player who could turn into a long term solution.  The other would be to approach a veteran at the tail end of his career to bridge the gap to Ryan Clifford who will start the year in Syracuse. 

On the bullpen side things are not quite as desperate.  David Stearns has already secured the services of his former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams. Yes, 2025 was a mostly forgettable year for the former All Star, but as his Yankee tenure came to a closer he began to pitch as he had previously in his career so it was not entirely a reckless gamble.

Now it is still unclear what role Williams will play.  With Diaz now gone is Williams the closer?  If not, then the club could be looking at free agents like Robert Suarez or Pete Fairbanks and then the new pitching coach and Carlos Mendoza can recommend who is the top dog in the pen.

Swallow hard and think for a minute about what the Mets would be like if not one but both prime free agents hit the road.  Yes, they would save well over $50 million in annual payroll but would find themselves with holes that are not exactly easy to fill.

It should be an interesting December.