Updated Post: Jan. 24, 4:45 PM
On SI’s Pat Ragazzo reported that the Mets are considering a trade for Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson with uncertainty regarding Pete Alonso’s chances of a return to Queens.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Torkelson slashed .233/.313/.446 with 31 home runs in 2023 before hitting .219/.295/.374 in 92 games and 381 plate appearances last season.
Updated Post: Jan. 24, 3:33 PM
Per On SI’s Pat Ragazzo, the Los Angeles Angels met with Pete Alonso on Thursday as his free agency continues to drag on.
According to FanGraphs, the Angels currently have the 11th-highest projected payroll entering the 2025 season at around $188 million. Owner Arte Moreno isn’t afraid to hand out big deals, and given that the organization was reportedly interested in Anthony Santander before he signed with the Blue Jays, perhaps a pivot to Alonso is now within consideration.
Ragazzo added that he continues to hear a deal between Alonso and Toronto does not appear to be close at the moment.
Updated Post: Jan. 23, 6:10 PM
While there have been reports about a deal progressing between Pete Alonso and the Blue Jays, Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reported Thursday evening that Toronto is not gaining momentum on a deal with him or Max Scherzer. Nicholson-Smith said that it isn’t accurate to say that talks are progressing.
Tim Healey of Newsday reported earlier Thursday evening that the 30-year-old is deep in talks with the Blue Jays. No deal has yet been finalized, but Healey reports that Alonso leaving New York is “closer than ever to reality.”
Original Post: Jan. 23, 3:43 PM
Andy Martino of SNY reported Thursday afternoon that talks between the Blue Jays and Pete Alonso are “advancing”. Martino added that no deal is in place and it isn’t a guarantee that Alonso ends up in Toronto.
Previously, it was reported when the Mets signed Jesse Winker that the team was pivoting toward a plan-b of replacing Alonso, acknowledging that he is likely headed elsewhere. The Mets reportedly offered the four-time All-Star a three-year deal worth between $68 and 70 million, but it was rejected. The offer was considered a “last-ditch effort” to re-sign Alonso. Robert Murray of Fansided reported last week that the two sides were still talking and that a reunion is still possible.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Blue Jays were one of the three teams still involved in Alonso’s market as of January 15. Toronto recently signed Anthony Santander to a five-year contract worth $92.5 million, though $61 million of that deal is deferred. Should Alonso end up in Toronto, the Mets’ current plan is to slide Mark Vientos over to first base.
