Mets' rumored 'last-ditch' offer shows Blue Jays where Pete Alonso bidding stands

In an offseason that has been frustratingly fruitless and all too familiar for the Blue Jays and their fanbase, any hope the team will adequately address its needs should probably taken with a grain of salt. But with the latest turn in the Pete Alonso saga, the Blue Jays may have an opportunity to fill a major lineup necessity: power.

Alonso rejected what the New York Post called a "last-ditch effort" by the New York Mets to sign the four-time All-Star. The deal was a reported three-year contract somewhere between $68 and $70 million, slightly more than the three-year, $60 million pact Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros. The Athletic is reporting the Mets are talking to other players and may be moving on from the homegrown player known as the "Polar Bear," with the Blue Jays involved in his market.

That may be a sad surprise for Mets fans. Alonso has been a major part of the organization since his debut in 2019, winning Rookie of the Year, taking home two Home Run Derby titles, and posting two top ten finishes in MVP voting.

The last-ditch offer may be seen as questionable by some, too. By comparison, Alonso has a career OPS+ of 134, 19.8 Wins Above Replacement, and 226 home runs, while Walker has an OPS+ of 114, 15.1 WAR, and 147 home runs. Walker is also four years older than Alonso, who is just 30.

Blue Jays have to top Mets' $70 million offer for Pete Alonso

The Blue Jays have expressed interest, according to media outlets, with The Athletic going as far to say Toronto was "in the mix" for the slugger. Alonso's raw power would be a welcome addition to a Blue Jays offense that struggled mightily in 2024. Toronto was near the bottom in a host of offensive categories, hitting only 156 home runs (26th highest in MLB), scoring 4.14 runs per game (23rd in MLB), and posting a collective .389 slugging percentage and .703 on-base percentage. Both totals were below the major-league average of .399 and .711, respectively.

And, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today stated, an Alonso signing wouldn't affect the Blue Jays' situation with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Alonso and Guerrero could split time between first base and designated hitter, or Guerrero could see more time at third base, a position he once referred to as "his favorite." It would also give Toronto a Plan B if the unthinkable happens and Guerrero leaves, either at the trade deadline in July or after the season as a free agent.

The only other question is money. At this point, it is unknown how much it would take to lure Alonso north of the border. The Blue Jays haven't been shy about spending money, as seen with the free agents they've signed in the past few years, and with the number of players they've missed out on.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, with the addition of outfielder Myles Straw, Toronto's 2025 competitive balance payroll is roughly $241 million, which is at the first luxury tax threshold. Of course, roster moves still need to be made, so some additional payroll room could be created. The Jays' Opening Day 2024 CB payroll was $250 million by comparison, and after a flurry of moves, the team ended the season at $234 million, just under the $237 million threshold.

If Toronto is willing to pursue him, Alonso becoming a Blue Jay may be a possibility. And, while we've heard stuff like this before, there is at least some hope the Polar Bear will come north.