The ace first baseman should be anxious about the backup plan the New York Mets have in mind for Pete Alonso

MLB Trade Rumors: The ace first baseman should be anxious about the backup plan the New York Mets have in mind for Pete Alonso.

Right now, it seems like Pete Alonso and the New York Mets are playing a continuous game of chicken during the winter. The Mets only seem to want Alonso at their price, and Alonso wants more money than they have been willing to give him.

Both sides are in dire need of one another, which may be the main reason why this staredown is still going on. It is obvious that Alonso has not been able to perform better than the offer from the Mets, which he and his agent Scott Boras found unacceptable. It makes sense that teams would not be very interested in a first baseman with a restricted skill set and possibly past his prime.

Conversely, if the Mets are serious about having a shot against a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers in October, they could really use a bat like Alonso's to hit behind Juan Soto in their lineup. They might use a more experienced batsman than Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, and Ronny Mauricio, who are expected to see more playing time at the Major League Baseball level if Alonso leaves and the Mets do nothing to replace him, even if they decide to let Alonso settle elsewhere.

The Mets are reportedly intrigued in Spencer Torkelson, an external corner infield possibility, but if we're being totally honest, Torkelson belongs in the same group of younger, untested hitters that the team currently has. However, Ryan Mountcastle, New York's most recent target, seems like a much better match for the Mets and might cause Alonso some anxiety.

Pete Alonso's long-awaited decision may be influenced by Ryan Mountcastle-Mets interest.

When considering actual choices for Alonso's backup plans, Mountcastle is likely the best option available (no, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not getting traded). 

The 27-year-old has been an above-average hitter in each of his four full MLB seasons, should hit for more power away from the Camden Yards, which used to be pitcher-friendly (for right-handed hitters), and has a lot more defensive value than Alonso. However, he is not as dangerous as Alonso in terms of power. Mountcastle is earning a respectable $6.7 million in 2025 and would come with two years of club control. Although he wouldn't be cheap to trade, acquiring him wouldn't significantly impact New York's expanding farm.

Alonso would have good reason to believe that New York would crumble and come running to him if Torkelson was the only outside candidate the Mets were considering. 

Although Torkelson may have potential, he has largely performed below expectations in Major League Baseball, and the Mets lack many established players on their roster. Although he might not have Alonso's ceiling, Mountcastle would be a more than competent temporary replacement at first base.

Alonso's current predicament would worsen if the Mets decided to move on. After everything they've done, would the Toronto Blue Jays be prepared to offer him anything more than the Mets were? Is he someone the Los Angeles Angels would actually want to sign? The slugging first baseman has only lately been connected to those two teams outside of the Mets.

Once more, both parties depend on one another. Realistically, the Mets cannot outperform Alonso at this time, and Alonso is struggling to find other suitors. Having saying that, Alonso's pivot with the Mets is far superior to that of any other team. Maybe Alonso will have enough leverage to return to Stearns and Co. before it's too late because of the Mountcastle investment. Alonso will be in a more difficult situation than he is now if the Mets proceed with the Mountcastle trade.