Copyright Newsweek
The New York Mets came into the season with high hopes, and they fell completely on their face by year's end. The Mets struggled down the stretch and missed the postseason completely despite having one of the highest payrolls in the league. This offseason, the Mets are watching Pete Alonso head into free agency, and there's a chance they lose out on him. If they lose him, they'll need to replace him with a different impact bat. CBS Sports' Mike Axisa recently predicted the Mets would lose Alonso and replace him in the lineup by signing Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman. The veteran infielder is projected to sign for $182 million in free agency, per Jim Bowden of The Athletic. "Not get traded for each other, but trade teams. Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman will both opt out of their contracts this winter and try to get the long-term deal they failed to get last winter," Axisa wrote. "I'd say Bregman returning to the Red Sox is more likely than Alonso returning to the Mets, but who really knows? For this bold prediction, I say they swap places. Bregman goes to the Mets (and Mark Vientos slides over to first base) and Alonso goes to the Red Sox (and Triston Casas becomes a trade candidate). "The Mets need help at the hot corner and must improve their infield defense. The Red Sox need a middle-of-the-order power threat, preferably a righty who can launch balls over the Green Monster. Bregman to the Mets and Alonso to the Red Sox are fits every which way." Bregman was connected to the Mets last offseason, but nothing ever came of it. With Alonso on the market, the Red Sox could be more eager to add a power-hitting first baseman than to re-sign Bregman for more money. This would leave Bregman on the market for New York to scoop up. The Mets have the money and the clear hole at third base. Making a move like this would help the Mets avoid another disappointing season next year.
