Insider suggests Mets NL East rival should steal Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso could be joining one of the New York Mets' biggest rivals this offseason if this scenario plays out.

Sep 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts while standing next to shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) after his at bat against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

If the New York Mets decide to pursue Pete Alonso in free agency this offseason, there's no question they will be facing stiff competition in bringing him back to Citi Field.

Multiple teams expressed interest in signing Alonso when he became a free agent last offseason. However, there were several other appealing first basemen on the market, and Alonso's relatively down 2024 campaign made some worry whether his best days were in the rearview mirror.

Read more: Ex-Mets slugger could convince Pete Alonso to join Red Sox in free agency

This prompted teams to pivot and sign other players, such as the Yankees reaching a deal with Paul Goldschmidt and the Astros acquiring Christian Walker. And soon enough, both the first base market and Alonso's potential suitors dried up. This made it so the only logical choice for both sides was for the Mets and Alonso to reunite, which is exactly what they did.

Sep 27, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) scores a run against the Miami Marlins in the sixth inning as he is congratulated by catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The situation is different this offseason. There are fewer first basemen available, and Alonso is coming off arguably the best season of his career, therefore quelling any concerns about whether he can keep producing as he enters his 30s.

Insider Explains Scenario Where Philadelphia Phillies Pursue Pete Alonso

If there was one MLB team that Mets fans would wish Pete Alonso didn't sign with, it would probably be the Philadelphia Phillies. This is because New York and Philadelphia are bitter rivals who will be competing for supremacy in the NL East for years to come.

The good news is that the Phillies already have a star first baseman in Bryce Harper. The bad news is that this won't necessarily keep them from pursuing Alonso in free agency this offseason, which The Athletic's Jim Bowden conveyed in an October 15 article.

Bowden said that the Phillies' top priority this offseason should be re-signing slugger Kyle Schwarber, who hit 56 home runs and produced a .928 OPS during the 2025 regular season. However, if Schwarber signs elsewhere, Bowden said the Phillies should pivot to pursuing Alonso and making him their DH.

The Phillies' roster needs a makeover. Here are the moves they should pursue https://t.co/E540qSWAYi

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) October 15, 2025

Despite his struggles at first base in 2025, Alonso doesn't seem interested in being a DH at this point in his career. Perhaps this will dissuade him from considering the Phillies.

However, there's also a world where Alonso can be convinced to give up on playing the infield and instead solely focus on hitting as he enters the latter half of his MLB career. While this probably won't be happening with the Mets, this could become a factor in the Polar Bear potentially signing elsewhere this winter.