Inside The Mets

What does the New York Mets' future at first base look like?

With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signing a contract extension to stay with the Blue Jays, he is no longer an option for the 2026 Mets and beyond. So who's on first?

Jake Brown

Apr 4, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Who's on first?

That's a question for 2026 that became much more intriguing to the New York Mets on Monday. In the early hours, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opted to sign a contract extension for 14 years and $500 million to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays, likely keeping him there for the rest of his career.

That kind of contract would have been difficult for the Mets to make happen, considering they just signed Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, which really becomes $805 million if the Mets void his opt out after the 5th year of the deal. That would have tied over $1.2 billion of guaranteed cash to just two players over the next 14 years.

Now the Mets will have to consider where they will go at first base, with Pete Alonso as the obvious name atop the list. Alonso has an opt-out available after this year, which he will likely use, especially if he keeps up his torrid pace to start the 2025 season.

Read More: How Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s new deal affects Pete Alonso’s free agency

The question will be how will another negotiation go with Scott Boras and the Mets? Steve Cohen openly talked at Amazin' Day at how rough negotiations were with Boras for Alonso this offseason. If the soon-to-be Mets franchise home run king has a monster season, that number is only going to continue to climb. Will the Mets be willing to meet that asking price?

RYAN CLIFFORD

If not, they will have to consider other options. Internally, Ryan Clifford would be the first choice. Clifford, 21, was acquired from the Houston Astros in the Justin Verlander trade; he is currently at Double-A Binghamton, coming off a 19-homer, 68-RBI season. While he's played some corner outfield, he's played a majority of his time at first base.

MARK VIENTOS

If the Mets had not ended up bringing Alonso back, there was a chance Mark Vientos was moving to first base. That can be revisited next winter if the Mets opt to not sign Alonso to a new contract. Vientos has barely spent time at first in the big leagues, but did play some minor league games there. That could also depend on what kind of season Vientos has this year, as he's been off to a rough start.

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Yandy Diaz has a $12 million club option with the Tampa Bay Rays, so he could be an option if the Rays decide to move on. Entering his age-33 season, Diaz has been a steady presence in Tampa's lineup and won the AL batting title in 2023.

Meanwhile, Josh Naylor will be 28 and entering free agency for the first time, so he could also command a massive deal. Naylor clubbed 31 homers and drove in 108 runs last year. While a few years younger than Alonso, he may not be worth that major money.

Paul Goldschmidt is an intriguing option because of his elite defense, but will be 38 years old. Any potential deal with him would probably only be for one year, which could intrigue the Mets as someone to pass the baton to the likes of Clifford. It would depend on what kind of season he ends up having this year with the cross-town Yankees.

The Mets could also turn to old friend Wilmer Flores, who will be 34 years old; Flores already has four homers this year after only playing 71 games last season in San Francisco. However, Flores seems like another option that going internal could just make more sense and get similar production.

The most logical decision here seems to go with Alonso, but it's easy saying that now. Boras is going to ask for the world for his client if he has a big year, especially after getting the biggest contract in sports for Juan Soto out of Steve Cohen and the Mets. He's going to want the Polar Bear to be paid handsomely for taking a short-term deal this past winter from the team he's spent his whole career with.

It's going to be fascinating to see how this plays out and if a long-term deal ends up getting discussed at all during the 2025 campaign.

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Jake Brown
JAKE BROWN

Jake Brown is a contributor for the Mets On SI site. Jake has been covering the Mets over the past decade at various outlets. He currently hosts the "Mets Daily" show on YouTube, the "Mets Magic" podcast and shows on his own channel @JakeBrownRadio. Jake previously co-hosted the New York Post "Amazin' But True" Mets podcast with former pitcher Nelson Figueroa from 2020-2024. He also was a Mets columnist at WFAN from 2018-2020. Prior to that, Jake hosted several podcasts at CBS Radio and was a host on AM1240-WGBB on Long Island. He's made guest appearances talking Mets on WFAN, PIX11, CBS Sports Radio/Infinity Sports Network, SiriusXM Radio, ESPN Radio and various other outlets around the country. You can find Jake at Citi Field often enjoying Mets baseball, while filming stadium food reviews. You can follow Jake on Twitter/X, Instagram and TikTok @jakebrownradio.

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