Mets 1B Pete Alonso's Top Landing Spots amid MLB Trade Rumors, Upcoming Free Agency | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 32-36, 5th in NL Central
Current First Baseman: Rowdy Tellez
Tellez only has a .558 OPS, so it's hard to justify using him even in a platoon role at this point. Naturally, Alonso would be quite the upgrade as a regular. But even with the Bucs winning more than they're losing in June, a last-place team going so big on a rental is a reach.
9. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 33-35, 3rd in NL Central
Current First Baseman: Spencer Steer
Christian Encarnacion-Strand wasn't doing much hitting even before he fractured his hand, for which surgery is on the table. But as much fun as it is to imagine Alonso at Great American Ball Park, the Reds aren't in an ideal spot to make a big play on a rental either.
8. Texas Rangers
Record: 33-35, 2nd in AL West
Current First Baseman: Nathaniel Lowe
Lowe had a great offensive year in 2022, but it looks like an outlier. The Rangers offense has also been sleepy in general, making an Alonso trade a fun wakeup call to think about. But rather than from without, their big midseason additions figure to come from the injured list.
7. Minnesota Twins
Record: 37-32, 3rd in AL Central
Current First Baseman: Carlos Santana
Santana has mostly been fine at the cold corner, but he could just as easily work at designated hitter in deference to Alonso. With their OPS having fallen 40 points from 2023, the Twins simply need an offensive boost. What they need even more, though, is pitching.
6. Houston Astros
Record: 31-38, 3rd in AL West
Current First Baseman: José Abreu
The Astros tried fixing Abreu with a stint in the minors, but he's only continued to struggle in going 7-for-42 since his return. As such, they should have at least one eye on Alonso. But another should be on their decimated pitching staff, with a third on their luxury-tax standing.
