Mets-Pete Alonso deal offers Reds tempting trade opportunity for high-upside bat

After a long and drawn out free agency experience, first baseman Pete Alonso finally got a deal done. As expected, Alonso is returning to Queens after agreeing to a two-year, $54 million deal. This now ends the most predictable free agent reunion of the offseason.

Though the Cincinnati Reds emerged as a so-called dark horse late last month, that was little more than a negotiating tactic courtesy of super-agent Scott Boras. Almost every MLB expert and pundit expected Alonso to return to the Mets.

While Cincinnati was never really in the running for the Polar Bear, Alonso's return to the Big Apple does provide the Reds with an intriguing trade opportunity. With Alosno back in the fold, would the Mets be willing to trade Brett Baty?

Mets- Pete Alonso deal offers Reds tempting opportunity to trade for Brett Baty

Baty, 25, is a former first-round pick who's struggled since arriving in the big leagues. A highly-touted prospect in the Mets farm system, Baty debuted in August of 2022 and homered in his first big league game. That at-bat, unfortunately, set the tone for what would become a series of struggles that have derailed a once promising start.

Baty got a long look with the Mets in 2023, appearing in 108 games and snagging just under 400 plate appearances. But the prodigious power that Baty displayed during his minor league career didn't translate to the bigs. After posting a .315/.410/.533 slash line with 19 homers in the minors back in 2023, Baty managed to hit just .213/.275/.323 in the big leages during his first full season.

Last year, Baty was in and out of the Mets lineup. Another highly-regarded Mets prospects, Mark Vientos, finally caught fire and eventually solidified his spot in New York's everyday lineup. Vientos started over 100 games at the hot corner in 2024, and though he can also play first base, Alonso's return all but guarantees he'll set up shop at third base on Opening Day. That means Baty is little more than a reserve heading into the upcoming season.

No, this type of trade wouldn't radically change the Reds' outlook heading into 2025, but third base is rather unsettled heading into spring training. Jeimer Candelario the most likely candidate to start at third base on Opening Day and adding a player like Baty would give new manager Terry Francona another option.

Though most fans in New York consider Baty a bust, sometimes all that's needed a change of scenery. Baty is pre-arbitration eligible, has minor-league options remaining, and improved as a defender last season. He's the perfect type of player for the Reds to take a flier on.

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