The New York Mets continue to try to find a replacement for Pete Alonso this offseason after he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. While the organization has brought in Jorge Polanco to rotate between first base and designated hitter, he doesn’t provide the same lineup presence the way Alonso does.
David Stearns has a variety of options even with the start of the new year less than 10 days away. One possible Alonso replacement for the Mets is third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
Suarez would be an ideal fit for the Mets as it would allow them to shift Mark Vientos over to first base as a platoon with Polanco in order to allow Suarez to man the hot corner. Based on Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon’s recent report, the 34-year-old provides another bonus that the Mets are wanting out of their next addition.
“The Mets hold interest in adding a right-handed batter to balance out their lineup, people familiar with their conversations said,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote for The Athletic. “That could end up being someone who can also play first base. The club needs to make a decision on whether such a player is better than Mark Vientos. More likely they would find that player in a trade than free agency.”
Suarez, even at 34 years old, is a much better player than Vientos, so he checks that box. He’s a right-handed hitter, which provides them more flexibility in lineup dynamics, and he could play first base if necessary as he saw six innings on the opposite side of the diamond last season.
Rosenthal and Sammon did mention that the Mets’ new bat would be more likely to be added via a trade instead of free agency. However, they didn’t rule out a free agent entirely.
As he declines due to his age, the Mets can’t expect Suarez to hit 45 or more home runs every season. However, Stearns and the Mets organization would be grateful if he could hit at least 30 over the course of his time with them if they sign him.
ESPN insider Kiley McDaniel believes Suarez will sign a two-year deal worth $45 million this winter which would be an average annual value of $22.5 million.
If that is all it takes to land him, then the Mets should be all over this move. He would instantly provide a boost to their lineup for next season.
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