Mets-Pete Alonso negotiations remain stalled, but Blue Jays shouldn't take the bait

This offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays have done nothing but miss out on free agents. The front office may be getting impatient, which could result in them making an impulse move, but one they should not make involves a slugging first baseman that is in talks of reuniting with the New York Mets.

Pete Alonso is one of the last big-name hitters still on the market. His negotiations with the Mets appear to have been stalled, but that does not mean Toronto should swoop in on the veteran. His bat would be a significant addition to the lineup, but the Blue Jays do not need a backup plan at first base yet. Their focus for that position should be trying to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Signing Alonso would likely push Guerrero Jr. away as they both play the same position. Although one could just be the designated hitter, it is not certain that either would want to do that on an everyday basis. Additionally, that money should go towards a player in the field, like an Alex Bregman or Anthony Santander, not a designated hitter candidate or a future starting first baseman for 2026.

Blue Jays Free Agency: Pete Alonso is not a fit with Toronto

Alonso is reportedly looking for a long-term contract, which is why the Mets have not landed a deal just yet. If the Blue Jays signed Guerrero Jr. long term, adding Alonso would not make sense at all.

Last season, Alonso belted 34 home runs, put together a 122 wRC+, and generated an underwhelming .788 OPS. Guerrero Jr. slugged 30 home runs, produced a 165 wRC+, and logged a .940 OPS. With just these three simple stats, we can see that Guerrero Jr. is undoubtedly the better option here and they should not pivot to Alonso. Locking Guerrero Jr. up long term is what Toronto needs to accomplish, and signing Alonso is just going to hurt their chances of doing so.

Overall, it just doesn't seem like a fit between the Blue Jays and Alonso. Toronto has taken steps back in recent years, and bringing on a regressing power hitter who hardly solves any of their current issues would set the organization back even further.