3 players the Mets must consider after Pete Alonso’s $155M exit

New York Mets' franchise leader in home runs Pete Alonso reportedly signed a five-year $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Club owner Steve Cohen, in a message for the fans, stressed that the offseason is only getting started and the Mets will have their moment.

But the fanbase will be restless to see who the club brings to substitute for Alonso's importance in the lineup. Here's taking a look at the few options they could consider.

Sign Alex Bregman

With high-profile free agent signings in the Steve Cohen era, the Mets fanbase has developed an affinity for the big stars. Their disappointment at missing out on one of the club's cornerstones over the last decade and a half will only be reduced if they replace him with another clubhouse leader.

And no one in the current free agency class is as good a leader as third baseman Alex Bregman. He has recorded a 17.0 bWAR in the last four seasons, showcasing his consistency at the plate and elite defensive skills. If he slots into the hot corner, Mark Vientos and Brett Baty can share first base duties.

Get Yandy Diaz from Tampa Bay Rays

Yandy Diaz has been linked with a trade to the San Diego Padres throughout the offseason. But the Mets could swoop in and snatch him away. Diaz hit at .300 with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs in 150 games for the Rays in 2025, earning himself American League MVP votes, finishing 18th. He won the American League batting title in 2023, when he hit at .330 with a .410 On-Base Percentage.

If the Mets get Diaz, Juan Soto could move to the No.3 hole to avoid attracting intentional walks. Heading into his age-34 season, Diaz will earn $12 million in 2026, with a club option available for 2027, worth $10 million.

Sign Munetaka Murakami

If Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami can control his high strikeout percentage, he will have a very similar hitting profile to that of Alonso's in the Mets lineup. But the bigger advantage that New York will have is that Murakami is five years younger.

The Mets might be willing to go a lot farther for a 25-year-old than they were willing to for Alonso. If the Mets are successful, Murakami, who has hit 246 home runs in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, could slot directly at first base, a departure from his usual third base duties with the Yakult Swallows.