Mets Star Slugger's Future With Club Is In Question After Confusing Trade Deadline

What is next for the confusing Mets?

Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images

The New York Mets' future very much is in question right now.

New York entered the 2023 season with World Series aspirations. The Mets looked better on paper than they did in 2022 when they won 101 games but were never able to get on track. Now, the Mets seemingly are in limbo. New York traded away star pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline to go along with other veterans including David Robertson, Tommy Pham, and Mark Canha. 

The Mets certainly restocked the farm system with their trade deadline moves, but rumors are flowing that the club doesn't expect to contend until the 2025 campaign at the earliest but more likely the 2026 campaign. If this is the case, could star slugger Pete Alonso soon find himself playing elsewhere like Verlander and Scherzer? It's unclear what decision the Mets will make about Alonso's future, but conversations at least have been held with the star's representation about the direction of the club, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale. 

"GM Billy Eppler declined to say whether they entertained offers for All-Star 1B Pete Alonso or address his future," Nightengale said. "He's a free agent after the 2024 season. Billy Eppler said he has had a conversation with Pete Alonso's representatives, but not yet with Alonso about the direction of the Mets."

If the Mets decided to deal Alonso this upcoming offseason, they likely could bring in a massive trade haul. Alonso is just 28 years old and already is a three-time All-Star and has developed into one of the best sluggers in all of baseball. The big first baseman is slashing .220/.315/.512 to go along with 31 home runs and 77 RBIs in 98 games so far this season. 

Now that it sounds like the Mets aren't planning to contend until the 2025 or 2026 seasons, anything could happen. There's still plenty of time left this season and there's sure to be much more speculation this upcoming offseason but the Mets are going to have some tough decisions to make.