Pete Alonso is now more in play than ever for the Blue Jays after Mets-Rangers deal

"When the New York Mets made the blockbuster trade with the Texas Rangers this past Sunday, sending outfielder Brandon Nimmo to Texas for second baseman Marcus Semien, there were more repercussions that one would expect. For one, it meant that New York was once again going to be big players this offseason. The second is that it could ultimately have an indirect consequence to the Toronto Blue Jays and their offseason plans as well."

"With the Mets now in need of an elite outfielder to replace Nimmo, they have suddenly set themselves up to be in play for one of the top free agents in the league in which the Blue Jays are after as well. That player, of course, is none other than Kyle Tucker. However, what it inadvertently brings into play now more than ever is the fact that the chances of the Blue Jays landing former Mets slugger Pete Alonso have now increased."

"During the past couple of off seasons, whenever Toronto was up against big competition in free agency such as the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, they have come up just short in their pursuit of high end free agents. That was true in the case of both Juan Soto, who joined the Mets last year and Shohei Ohtani who went to the Dodgers the year before that."

"If history manages to repeat itself once again, the Blue Jays will likely lose grasp of Tucker by the time all is said and done. However, if the 28-year-old star outfielder does end up joining New York, the Mets would be exhausting more of their financial resources to secure the elite talent. In doing so, they might not have enough left to also lock in Alonso long-term."

The New York Mets traded Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien, creating an immediate need for an elite outfielder. The Mets' need positions them as potential suitors for top free agent Kyle Tucker, a player also pursued by the Toronto Blue Jays. If the Mets sign Tucker, their payroll commitments could limit their ability to offer a long-term contract to former Mets slugger Pete Alonso. Alonso's expected contract is around $150 million over six years. If the Mets expend resources on Tucker, the Blue Jays' chances to sign Alonso could improve if the Mets reduce pursuit.

Read at Jays Journal