Could Anthony Rizzo Replace Pete Alonso in Queens?
Is the Pete Alonso era nearing its end in New York? While nothing is set in stone, the ongoing contract negotiations between the Mets and their All-Star first baseman seem to be hitting a wall. If the Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns, decides to look elsewhere for a solution, one intriguing option could be a veteran presence from across town—former New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
A New Look at First Base
If Alonso departs, the Mets have internal options like shifting Mark Vientos from third base to first. Such a move would open up opportunities for young talent at the hot corner, including Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, and Ronny Mauricio. However, if Stearns prefers to keep Vientos at third base, bringing in a veteran like Rizzo could be a logical stopgap solution.
Jim Riley of Ballcap Sports recently speculated that Rizzo could be a fit for the Mets in his free-agent predictions. “Why not? Give me a one-year deal to go be the first baseman in Queens for the Mets,” Riley said. “You keep Mark Vientos at third base, bring him (Rizzo) in, and you’ve got some power potential, leadership, and flexibility to pivot to the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sweepstakes next year.”
What Rizzo Brings to the Table
Rizzo, a three-time All-Star and a key piece of the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship team, offers leadership and postseason experience. However, his recent production has been less than stellar. Over the past two injury-plagued seasons with the Yankees, Rizzo has hit just .237/.315/.358 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs in 796 plate appearances.
Still, Rizzo could be an affordable gamble for the Mets. Spotrac projects his market value at one year and $2 million, making him a low-risk option to provide stability at first base while the team prepares for a longer-term solution.
What’s Next for the Mets?
As negotiations with Alonso remain in limbo, the Mets are weighing their options to maintain a competitive edge in the NL East. Whether they roll the dice on Rizzo or explore other avenues, it’s clear that the Mets’ infield could look very different come Opening Day.
Will Alonso stay in Queens? Or will the Mets pivot to a new chapter with a seasoned veteran like Rizzo? One thing is certain: big decisions are looming in New York.
