Chicago Cubs Linked by Insider for Trade of Mets Superstar

The New York Mets underwent a yard sale at the trade deadline this season. They traded away five players, including their big named pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, to get back prospects to assist in their roster reset.

There was some smoke that Mets' superstar Pete Alonso was also included in potential trade packages. Nothing came to fruition and the slugger stayed on the team.

Now, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Chicago Cubs were one of the teams who inquired about the availability of the superstar first baseman.

He writes for The Athletic, "Other teams, including the Cubs, also spoke to the Mets about Alonso."

It's a bombshell report signally that Chicago could be looking to pursue the slugger via trade this offseason. His future with New York remains cloudy as he enters his final year of arbitration before he's able to hit free agency.

The Mets taking calls on their most notable player is a sign they could entertain the possibility of moving Alonso for the right package in return.

Rosenthal adds, "The question now is how the Mets will proceed with Alonso, 28, who projects to earn a salary in the $21 million to $22 million range in his final year of arbitration … So, virtually every team can be in play for Alonso this offseason, if the Mets choose to move him."

The Cubs have rotated Cody Bellinger between first base and the outfield this season. A lot of that has to due with the crowded outfield and limited viable defensive options to put at first base.

Acquiring Alonso would allow Chicago to have a legitimate defensive first baseman who hits for power on their roster. If they are able to resign Bellinger, that would allow them to move him back into outfield full time where he's a plus defender across multiple positions.

New York most likely will want a monstrous trade package in return if they part with their superstar. There might be no better team in the MLB positioned to meet the asking price. The Cubs sit with a top five pipeline in the league and could part with many of their top prospects.

It's unclear if Alonso will actually be made available, but if he is, Chicago showed interest in the past and will likely continue showing interest moving forward.