Mets still have serious first base problem after Pete Alonso signed with Orioles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Last offseason, the New York Mets opted not to re-sign Pete Alonso, as the first baseman signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
It's safe to say the Mets probably regret that decision, as their offense could've used the 43 home runs and 113 RBIs Alonso produced in 2026.
Jorge Polanco, Alonso's replacement, played just 37 games and had -1.4 bWAR before season-ending ankle surgery in August.
For the Mets to achieve an "A+" offseason, they must address their first base problem, FanSided's Zachary Rotman wrote.
"Letting Pete Alonso walk in free agency was a decision that made sense given how power-hitting first basemen over 30 tend to age historically, but it also required the Mets to find an adequate replacement.
"Given the fact that their first basemen ranked 29th in the Majors with an 85 wRC+ and dead last with -1.4 fWAR in 2026, it's clear that [David] Stearns did not do a good enough job in that area," Rotman wrote.
One player the Mets could target is Teruaki Sato, who won the Triple Crown in Nippon Professional Baseball.
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The worst-case scenario is if the Mets have Jared Young as their everyday starter on Opening Day.
"Jared Young as a platoon option at first base is fine enough, but the Mets either need to acquire a good right-handed bat to pair with him against left-handed pitchers or acquire a legitimate every-day starter — whether that's Teruaki Sato in free agency or someone else via trade. It's hard to field a potent offense if you get nothing out of the first base position," Rotman added.
Given how poorly New York's first basemen hit in 2026, adding a veteran right-handed hitter or someone like Sato should be a top priority this offseason.
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