The New York Mets are grappling with a significant roster deficiency stemming from their inability to effectively replace former first baseman Pete Alonso. This issue, which has persisted since Alonso's departure, continues to be a glaring problem for the team, particularly as they look towards the 2027 season.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has been criticized for failing to adequately replace Alonso, both individually and collectively. The team signed Jorge Polanco, described as brittle and past his prime, with question marks surrounding his familiarity at first base. This approach stands in stark contrast to the Atlanta Braves' handling of a similar situation with Freddie Freeman.
Freddie Freeman, a homegrown cornerstone for the Braves for 12 seasons, an NL MVP, and a World Series champion, was allowed to leave in free agency. Like the Mets with Alonso, the Braves harbored concerns about Freeman's contract length demands at his age (32 entering the 2022 season). Negotiations reached an end-game discord, leading to significant backlash for letting such a popular and productive player go.
However, the Braves executed a crucial move the Mets did not: they successfully replaced Freeman. Atlanta traded for Matt Olson, a durable, prime-aged first baseman who excels on both sides of the ball. The Mets, meanwhile, signed Polanco, whose acquisition has not filled the void left by Alonso.
Alonso himself has continued his consistent performance, relentlessly playing every day and frequently hitting over 30 home runs, a testament to the offensive power the Mets let leave. The team's failure lies not in knowing what was leaving, but in their inability to secure a comparable or effective replacement coming the other way.