Potential SF Giants first base target reportedly will not return to Mets

The SF Giants seem to be done making big additions this offseason, but the recent reporting that Pete Alonso is unlikely to return to the New York Mets could create an opening for San Francisco to land a big bat in free agency.

It seems Alonso's goal this offseason was to land a long-term lucrative deal, but this latest news suggests that goal may not be attainable. Reporting from The Athletic (subscription required) suggests that Alonso's camp offered the Mets a three-year deal with opt outs which shows he may realize a long-term deal is unlikely. Perhaps Alonso will have to sign a short term “prove it” contract so he can hit free agency in a year or two and try to land that big deal he seeks.

So, if the Mets are unlikely to reunite with Alonso, where will he go? Naturally, the two preeminent free agent bridesmaids of the last few years, the Giants and Toronto Blue Jays, have been mentioned as potential landing spots. 

SF Giants could swoop in and snag Pete Alonso

Would Alonso even make sense on the Giants? There certainly is a potential need at first base with the current tandem of Wilmer Flores and LaMonte Wade Jr. not inspiring the most confidence. However, with top prospect first baseman Bryce Eldridge waiting in the wings, the Giants are probably not keen on blocking the 20-year-old by signing Alonso to long term deal. 

If Alonso does end up signing a short term deal with the hopes of hitting free agency again next offseason, San Francisco would not be the most likely destination with Oracle Park being notoriously pitcher-friendly. Third baseman Matt Chapman signed a one year “prove it” deal with the Giants last year and had one of the best seasons of his career, earning himself a big extension. However, Alonso replicating that same formula would be unlikely given the fact that the Giants are high on Eldridge.

Toronto could be another destination even though they already have a first baseman in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Reporting suggests that if the Blue Jays signed Alonso they would keep Guerrero as well and use them interchangeably at first base and designated hitter. The only team more desperate to land a big free agent than the Giants may be Toronto so one could see them giving Alonso a big contract just so they can say they landed a big fish.

The Giants do not make a ton of sense for Alonso, but if the stars begin to align and they can get Alonso on a short-term deal they may pull the trigger so they can give their offense a boost with the slugger unlikely to go back to the Mets.