Pete Alonso replacement already decided by New York Mets amid contract stand-off

The New York Mets may have to consider alternatives at first base as the clock ticks closer to the start of Spring Training and with star Pete Alonso still a free agent .

In a recent interview with the New York Post , Mets infield coach Mike Sarbaugh teased that the organization would be confident in moving young third basemen Mark Vientos across the diamond.

The 25-year-old broke out at the plate in 2024, slugging 27 home runs and batting in 71 runs to go with a .

266/.322/.516/.837 slash line in 111 games.

He remarkably still finished with a 3.2 bWAR despite poor defensive metrics at third base, sparking many to think about a potential position change .

I havent seen him a lot at first base, but Mark puts a lot of work in so I think wherever he is and wherever he ends up, I think he will be just fine, Sarabugh said.

Last season helped build confidence with him that, Hey, I am able to do this that was the first time he had ever played third on an everyday basis," he continued.

"It was kind of unchartered water for him from the standpoint of doing it on a daily basis, and he handled it and I think that is only going to make him better moving forward.

While Vientos ranked in the 89th percentile for batting runs value on Baseball Savant, he slotted in just the 17th for fielding runs.

His 6th percentile OAA rank was propped up by his strong arm (a would-be non-factor if he moves to first base).

Alsono, a four-time All-Star and the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year, mashed 34 home runs and knocked in 88 runs with a .240/.329/.459/.788 slash-line.

He reportedly turned down a three-year deal with the Mets worth between $68-69 million as he seeks a longer deal on the free agent market.

However, Alonso may have seen his market tighten after the Toronto Blue Jays inked outfielder Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million deal on Monday.

Toronto could have used the funds to slot Alonso into first base while sliding star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

to third.

If New York decides to move Vientos to first, they could either sign heralded free agent Alex Bregman to play third or turn to youngster Brett Baty at the hot corner..

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