Mets Named as Potential Landing Spot For Star Infielder Via Trade

All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado is listed as a potential fit on the New York Mets with his future with the St. Louis Cardinals uncertain.
Sep 24, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Sep 24, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

With Pete Alonso's future with the New York Mets in question, the team may have to look at other options to fill his position at first base if the slugger signs elsewhere.

Mark Vientos is coming off a breakout season for the Amazins' in 2024 while playing third base, but he could fit better as a first baseman in the long-term. The Mets can choose to either bring back Alonso or add another first baseman or land a third baseman and move Vientos to first.

Matt Snyder of CBS Sports listed St. Louis Cardinals All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado as a potential fit in New York as he is a possible candidate to be traded this offseason.

"Pete Alonso is a free agent while the Mets are hot on the trail of Soto. This means the Mets surely wouldn't be a factor here until after at least Soto is signed and maybe even after Alonso signs. If the Mets bring back Alonso, it doesn't really seem like there's a fit with Arenado. If Alonso signs elsewhere -- yes, even if the Mets land Soto -- Arenado would work," Snyder wrote.

"Mark Vientos, coming off a breakout power season with 27 homers and 71 RBI in 111 games, is probably better suited to play first base than third long term. Moving him across the diamond and putting Arenado at third works."

Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that Arenado is open to switching from third base to first base if he does get moved.

The 10-time Gold Glove winner who was traded to the Cardinals from the Colorado Rockies in February of 2021, is coming off a down year with the bat as the 33-year-old slashed .272/.325/.394 with just 16 home runs and 71 RBI in 152 games.

Despite his disappointing season on offense, Arenado has still proven throughout his 12-year playing career that he is one of the best offensive third basemen in the major leagues having slugged 341 home runs in his career thus far.

Even with the rumors of Arenado being open to playing first base, if the Mets were to acquire him, it would make the most sense to keep him at his natural position and shift Vientos.


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Logan VanDine
LOGAN VANDINE

Logan is a graduate of Rider University where he majored in Sports Media and minored in Sports Studies. During his time at Rider, Logan worked for Rider's radio station, 107.7 The Bronc as a sports host, producer and broadcaster, and for the school's paper: The Rider News. He began his time with The Rider News as a section writer for sports and was a copy editor for two years followed by being one of the sports editors during his senior year. Logan also placed third in the New Jersey Press Foundation Awards for sports feature writing. Aside from his work on Yankees and Mets On SI, he is also a writer for FanSided covering the New York Giants and Mets and also covers the Giants for Total Apex Sports.