Scout makes odd Soto claim while saying Mets need Alonso

Shortly after the New York Mets and All-Star outfielder Juan Soto officially put pen to paper on a historic 15-year, $765M contract, Mets owner Steve Cohen said his team was “still engaged” with free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. 

One unnamed National League scout recently told Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com that the Mets should want to partner Alonso with Soto over at least the next several seasons. 

“I like Alonso a lot,” the scout said. “I’m not a big Juan Soto fan. The Mets won’t have an Aaron Judge presence to keep Soto in line. The only thing that might keep him in line is if they re-sign Alonso. He’s a leader in addition to having all that power. And I don’t worry about his defense because of all his production and the leadership.” 

There’s no indication that Judge, the Yankees captain, needed to keep Soto “in line” during this past season as the 26-year-old hit a career-high 41 home runs. Per ESPN stats, Soto finished the regular season ranked third in all of MLB among eligible players with a .989 OPS and tied for sixth with 109 RBI. Additionally, his dramatic homer against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series sent the Yankees to the World Series.

As for the Mets clubhouse, shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Brandon Nimmo were routinely credited for emerging as needed behind-the-scenes leaders this past summer while Alonso allegedly pressed amid his walk year. Alonso hit four home runs over 13 playoff games this fall, but SNY’s Danny Abriano is among those who have noted that the offseason market for the “Polar Bear” has thus far “been quiet.”

It’s thought the Mets could eventually re-sign Alonso, who turned 30 years old earlier this month, for cheaper than some predicted back in November. 

“There’s a lot of power there and he’s always dangerous,” an AL scout told Miller about Alonso. “You know you’re getting 30 homers on a bad year from him and 40-to-50 on a good year. There’s also a lot of swing-and-miss. He’s a big strikeout guy. If you throw him a good breaking ball, he’ll chase. He will take some walks though. I like that. I like Alonso, but not for a ton of money for a lot of years because of the strikeouts and because he’s just OK at first base.” 

There are emotional reasons that go beyond leadership for why the Mets would want to bring Alonso back. After all, he’s only 27 homers shy of becoming the franchise’s all-time leader for that category. 

With that said, the Mets shouldn’t overpay for any slugger in an attempt “to keep Soto in line.” Cohen, along with Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, are likely hoping Soto will eventually become a player worthy of representing the club as its captain. 

Leave a Comment