Red Sox Rumors: Updating Mets’ Pete Alonso’s Best Fits With 2 AL East Rivals

Gobble on this, Boston Red Sox fans. The latest list of best free-agent fits for New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso includes a pair of American League East rivals.

ESPN’s Jorge Castillo lists the Mets, Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates as potential landing spots.

Good news is Castillo says the Red Sox, along with the Mets and Reds, are the “three most aggressive suitors so far.”

Boston Bound?

“The Red Sox president of baseball operations, Craig Breslow, has made it clear: He wants to acquire an accomplished middle-of-the-order bat, preferably a right-handed one,” Castillo writes. “Trading (Rafael) Devers, combined with Alex Bregman‘s free agency, has left the Red Sox without much proven slug in their lineup.

“A reunion with Bregman would check that box. As would signing Alonso, who could split time at first base and DH with (Triston) Casas if Boston were to keep him,” Castillo concludes.

Growing List of Suitors

 New York Post’s Jon Heyman says there’s no guarantee Alonso returns to the Mets.

“I’ve heard Houston, which is a little bit surprising to me. But obviously Alonso’s got other potentials with Boston and many others,” Heyman reports.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan lists the Mets, Red Sox, Reds and Orioles as possible bidders.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand says there are five potential suitors for Alonso: the Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Orioles and Washington Nationals.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden lists the Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers as the prime contenders for Alonso, with an expected price tag of six years and $182 million.

Heyman predicts Alonso, a five-time All-Star, will land a five-year, $165 million contract.

Alonso was a free agent last winter and didn’t find a multi-year, nine-figure contract to his liking so he returned to the Mets, who gave him a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause.

The two-time Home Run Derby champion said after the regular season ended he would opt out of his contract and return to the open market.

The 30-year-old Alonso hit 38 home runs this season, which was eighth-best in the majors, and drove in 126 runs, second only to Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.

Alonso, a home-grown Mets star, spent seven seasons in Queens. This year he became the franchise’s all-time home run leader, surpassing eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry.