It would be an interesting way to fill this area of the roster. Arráez has spent time at all four infield positions throughout his career. This includes suiting up for 69 games at first base in 2024 while splitting time between the Padres and Miami Marlins.
San Diego has discussed the possibility of trading Arráez. What might it take for the Mets to bring the three-time All-Star to Queens? BALLCAP Sports’ Jim Riley put together the following hypothetical trade proposal:
– Mets receive: infielder Luis Arráez
– Padres receive: outfielder Tyrone Taylor and right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell
Taylor is best utilized as a fourth outfielder. Tidwell is the Mets’ eighth-best prospect, according to MLB.com.
While Arráez won’t protect outfielder Juan Soto in the lineup like Alonso could, his ability to set the table for the middle of the order is elite. Inserting a three-time batting champion into New York’s leadoff spot ahead of Soto, shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Mark Vientos would be tough on opposing pitchers.
Arráez is estimated to earn $13.7 million in 2025, his last year of arbitration. Spotrac is currently projecting his market value for a long-term deal at nine years and $154 million.
Mets could lose 226-homer slugger to Giants in free agency, per insider
Pete Alonso has 226 home runs as a Met, just 26 shy of the franchise record. Many have assumed for weeks now that Alonso is destined to return to Queens, join Juan Soto in the new-look Mets lineup, and break that record in 2025.
Could that allow a team that’s always trying to lure big-name free agents their way to step in?
On Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com called the San Francisco Giants a “club to watch” for Alonso, as San Francisco looks to keep pace in the brutally competitive National League West.
“San Francisco added Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million deal in December, just two months after giving Matt Chapman a six-year, $151 million extension,” Feinsand said.
“The Giants would have to sacrifice two more Draft picks and $1 million in international bonus pool money to sign Alonso, who turned down a qualifying offer, but given the competitive state of the NL West, they might believe that adding another impact bat to the lineup is crucial.”
The Giants finished in fourth place in the West this past season, then lost superstar pitcher Blake Snell to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They haven’t had a hitter with 30 home runs in a season since Barry Bonds in 2004, and Alonso would be a fairly safe bet to end that streak.
Could the Giants’ presence in the Alonso sweepstakes merely coax a few more million dollars out of the Mets? Or will time reveal San Francisco to be more of a serious threat than anyone thought?
Leave a Reply