MLB insider floats Pete Alonso as possible trade deadline target for Red Sox
"The Red Sox absolutely should be placing a call to the Mets to gauge the possibility of getting Alonso."
It remains to be seen if the Red Sox will decide to be buyers at MLB’s July 30 trade deadline.
Boston has been on a roll for weeks, winning 10 of its last 13 games, and are currently holding onto the third wild-card spot in the American League.
If Craig Breslow does plan on adding to Boston’s roster, ESPN’s Jeff Passan thinks that the Red Sox could opt to swing for the fences with an elite power hitter.
In his latest piece projecting “ideal targets” for potential contending teams, Passan tabbed Mets first baseman Pete Alonso as a natural fit for a Boston lineup in need of more pop in the heart of its order.
“If Boston continues this run and goes into July in full command of a playoff spot, the Red Sox absolutely should be placing a call to the Mets to gauge the possibility of getting Alonso,” Passan wrote. “Even though first baseman Triston Casas is expected back in early July, the Red Sox have gotten a sub-.300 weighted on-base average from the DH position. Which, regardless of the size of Masataka Yoshida’s contract, is worth addressing via upgrades like the one Alonso would provide.”
Even with a potential logjam at first with Casas nearing his return, Alonso would give Boston another impact bat in time for a playoff push. The three-time All-Star has had an inconsistent season with the Mets so far, batting .240 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI.
But Alonso’s track record speaks for itself when it comes to his ability to golf pitches into the grandstands. He has surpassed 40 home runs three times in his four full, non-COVID seasons in MLB — headlined by a 53-homer, 120-RBI campaign as a rookie in 2019.
With Alonso on tap for a sizable pay raise this winter as a pending free agent, the Mets could opt to deal their slugging infielder within the next month — especially if New York continues to find itself on the outside looking in at playoff contention this season.
Even then, the Red Sox would likely have to relinquish a prospect or two to pry Alonso out of New York — as well as open up their wallet if the team intends on retaining the 29-year-old first baseman on a long-term deal.
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