The New York Mets are in the beginning stages of an off-season that will require quite a bit of change. David Stearns has already been hired as the new president of baseball operations, and while the organization has yet to replace Buck Showalter, we can absolutely discuss the roster that will be on the field to begin the 2024 season. Let’s continue this series by taking a deep dive into the organization’s depth at first base.

Pete Alonso. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Big League Starter

While certain rumors surrounding Pete Alonso suggest that he may choose to go elsewhere once his contract expires, all signs point towards the three-time All-Star being on the Mets’ Opening Day roster come March. While the 28-year-old saw a significant dip in batting average (.271 in 2022, .217 in 2023), his power continued to show in a big way. Alonso hit 46 home runs in 154 games, only trailing Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves and Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies in that statistic.

Alonso entered the league as a first baseman with some defensive weaknesses, but over time, he has drastically improved that area of his game. Last season, he finished in the 45th percentile for outs above average, significantly higher than the fifth percentile he finished in after the 2022 season. Since becoming a big leaguer in 2019, Alonso has arguably been the most potent power hitter in the game. It would be difficult to replace that kind of production, and until the Mets agree to a contract extension, the potential for him to leave will always be in the back of our minds. But at the moment, it seems as if Alonso will be a Met when the season begins.

Big League Depth

Alonso has been the guy at first base for the last five seasons, so very few have had opportunities to start at that position in the field. In 2023, Mark Canha, who finished the season with the Milwaukee Brewers, and Mark Vientos were the only players to start a game at first base besides Alonso. Canha could become a free agent if the Brewers choose to decline his $11.5 million team option for 2024, but even if the Mets decide to bring him back, he is much more comfortable playing in the outfield. Sure, he started 11 games at first base, but that was simply because Alonso was on the injured list.

Vientos showed a lot of promise over the final 24 games of the season, slashing .230/.280/.460/.739 with six home runs and 11 runs batted in. The 23-year-old proved that when he is an everyday player in the big leagues, he can impact winning. Vientos is able to play at third and first, but he projects as more of a designated hitter in the short term. If his defense improves, a case can be made that he should be the backup to Alonso. Vientos is a promising young player who could have an important role throughout next season. He’ll have to prove it over a large sample size as he finished the 2023 season with a 69 OPS+.

Upper Levels Depth 

The Mets don’t have a lot of depth at first base, especially at the top of their prospect rankings. Ryan Clifford, who the team acquired in the deal that sent Justin Verlander back to the Astros, is listed as an OF/1B on MLB Pipeline. Kevin Parada, who was drafted by the Mets in 2022 is listed as a catcher, but his struggles behind the plate have some believing that he may develop into a first-baseman or even a designated hitter in the long-term. The Mets have depth in certain areas of the field, but first base is not one of them. Stearns and his staff will look to build up the team’s system over the next handful of years.

One intriguing name to keep an eye on is 23-year-old JT Schwartz, who hit .302 with a .819 OPS in 277 plate appearances for Double-A Binghamton in 2023. Schwartz is expected to begin next season in Triple-A Syracuse, and if he is able to continue to produce against better pitching, it may not be long before he makes his way on the big league roster. The only knock against Schwartz is his lack of power, as he has a total of 10 home runs in 207 minor league games over the last three years.

Potential Acquisitions 

If the organization chooses to attack the free agent market in search of a backup first baseman, they will need to get creative. A large portion of the players that will be available are at least 32-years-old, so a short-term deal could be a potential option. The most intriguing name on the list is former Giant Brandon Belt, who spent the 2023 season with the Blue Jays. He slashed .254/.369/.490/.858 with 19 home runs 43 runs batted in and 61 walks in 103 games. Belt is not the player he used to be, but he is someone that can be productive as a everyday designated hitter, with the ability to fill in at first base.

Other free agents at the position include C.J. Cron, Carlos Santana, Rhys Hoskins, and Josh Bell (if he declines his player option). How the Mets choose to evaluate this market will largely depend on their assessment of Vientos, who has played some first base. If they believe he can step into a larger role, maybe they focus on other areas of the team. In the same way, if they see Vientos as more of their everyday designated hitter, the organization could attempt to bring one of these veterans in to play behind Alonso.

Daniel Vogelbach, who the team acquired at the trade deadline in 2022, is one of 16 arbitration-eligible players within the organization and is another option at first base. He is a candidate to be non-tendered by the Mets, but if he remains in New York, the 30-year-0ld is projected to make $2.4 million next season. Vogelbach struggled in 2023, hitting .233 with a .742 OPS in 319 plate appearances last season.