As good as the New York Yankees have been in 2024, they’re expected to push for even more greatness by the July 30 MLB trade deadline, and the New York Mets could help their crosstown rivals do exactly that.
As Julian Guilarte of Fan Nation’s Inside the Mets relayed, the Yankees were labeled by MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic as a “possible landing spot” for Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
The Yankees and Mets could make a Pete Alonso trade work for both parties
![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] June 9, 2024; London, UNITED KINGDOM; New York Mets infielder Pete Alonso forces out Philadelphia Phillies player Nick Castellanos at first base during a London Series baseball game at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Childs/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports](https://empiresportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MLB-London-Series-Philadelphia-Phillies-vs-New-York-Mets-23509804.jpg?resize=539,364)
Alonso is in the midst of his sixth season in the Majors. He is one of the best power hitters in baseball and could form an unstoppable triumvirate at the plate next to former 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge and current AL MVP frontrunner Juan Soto.
The Mets’ franchise player has question marks around his name as his long-term future with the team remains as up in the air as it was back in 2023. On his final year of arbitration, Alonso is headed for free agency in 2025 with a market that will almost surely increase his value beyond the $20.5 million the Mets gave him for this current campaign. The Mets are expected to be major sellers at the deadline. They could use this time to cut bait with Alonso and avoid the long-term deal they’d have to offer, and have tap danced around, to keep him in Queens, NY.
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How could the Yankees integrate Alonso into the fold with their financial reservations?
The Yankees could take advantage of this uncertain situation by offering the Mets a deal for the Florida native. The downside for the Yankees pulling off a trade for Alonso would be having him for half the year before having to re-up him or watch him leave next winter. Pertaining to payroll, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner wants to stay below $300 million in salary for 2025 and beyond. He already has to worry about resigning Soto, which could run up his tab immensely.
No matter, Alonso’s prowess as a slugger — 38 runs, 14 home runs, and 32 RBIs in 281 at-bats — would place him No. 4 in the former two and No. 5 in the latter category were he on the Yankees at the present. There’s clearly room for Alonso on the Bronx Bombers, and he could take over for Anthony Rizzo in time to wage an even stronger run down the back half of the regular season into the playoffs.