Mets reportedly ‘unlikely’ to trade star first baseman ahead of deadline

The New York Mets have turned their 2024 campaign around. The blue and orange have won 16 out of their last 22 games to climb within a game of .500 (38-39) and, due to a mediocre National League, find themselves just 1.5 games out of the final wild-card spot.

With the organization now finding themselves back in the playoff race, their trade deadline plans have been altered, and the Mets are now expected to keep their star first baseman.

The Mets are now ‘unlikely’ to trade Pete Alonso

According to a report from Jim Bowden of The Athletic (h/t Heavy.com), first baseman Pete Alonso is more likely to stay in New York than be traded at the deadline.

“Execs now feel it’s more unlikely than likely that they’ll trade Alonso, unless they are overwhelmed with a trade offer from a team such as the Astros or Mariners.”

via Jim Bowden of The Athletic

The 29-year-old is slashing .240/.322/.466 through 77 games with 16 home runs and 43 RBIs.

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There could be an alternative motive to holding onto Alonso

While trying to make it back to the postseason is clearly a good enough reason to hold on to the Florida native past the trade deadline, the blue and orange could have an alternative motive as to why they would keep Alonso.

“It’s also thought that some in the Mets front office believe they’ll have a better chance to re-sign Alonso in the offseason if they don’t trade him. Many teams still think the Mets could follow their blueprint from last year’s trade deadline deals of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.”

via Jim Bowden of The Athletic

Time will tell what happens with the man nicknamed the Polar Bear, but Alonso previously said he didn’t want to leave, and the Mets holding onto him for that reason could lead to what the Flushing Faithful have desired for the past couple of seasons: the Polar Bear permanently moving into an igloo at Citi Field.