According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Mets’ All-Star slugger Pete Alonso was the “center of trade talks” between the Mets and Brewers prior to the 2023 MLB trade deadline.

The 2023 Mets came into the season with lofty expectations, bringing back the core of a 101-win team with key additions such as Kodai Senga, Justin Verlander, and David Robertson. However, the Mets massively underperformed and went into the August 1 deadline five games under .500, 50-55. Having traded big name pieces like Eduardo Escobar, Max Scherzer, and David Robertson prior to the Tuesday deadline, it seemed as though no one on the Mets big league roster was safe. We saw that come to be with the departures of Justin Verlander, Tommy Pham, Dominic Leone, and Mark Canha coming just hours before the deadline.

Although, one homegrown Met, Pete Alonso, was reportedly closer to being dealt than many could have imagined.

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In Rosenthal’s article, he details how sources close to the Brewers claimed that the deal was in “field goal range,” while acknowledging that they would have to cough up one of their top five prospects in order to stamp the deal. The Athletic detailed how Milwaukee’s most highly coveted prospect and 2021 1st round pick, Jackson Chourio, was not going to be dealt but higher level prospects were part of the talks.

While the Brewers make it seem as though this deal was close to happening, Mets officials tell Rosenthal that talks were never raised to that level with Milwaukee. The team ultimately traded Mark Canha to the team. It should also be noted that there have been reports linking David Stearns to the Mets since the former general manager stepped back from duties—but remains under contract—with the Brewers.

While Rosenthal reports that he has heard conflicting perspectives from both clubs, it was obvious that the Mets were open to shopping Alonso, and if the price was right it seems like Milwaukee was number one in the sweepstakes. The Mets were open as much at the deadline that they’d listen to any player not signed beyond 2024. 

Pete Alonso is entering the final year of his contract with the Mets, but has no ties to the team past the 2024 season as there seems to be no major headway being made in contract extension talks.

After Tuesday’s game, Alonso reiterated his desire to stay in New York. “I don’t know what the future holds, but right now, I love being a Met and I love being a Met,” he said. “I love representing this organization.” Billy Eppler also noted after the deadline that Alonso is “such a strong player for this organization and means so much.”

Alonso will make around $22 million in his final year of arbitration with the club, however, Rosenthal notes that the lack of long-term money being tied to the slugger opens up almost all 30 clubs as possible landing spots. Teams like the Brewers can eat the relatively large salary for a season, where they would most likely not be apt to do so if the the salary were to be extended over several years. While nothing came to fruition this trade deadline, the three-time All-Star’s future in Queens is very much in limbo.