Pete Alonso, the New York Mets’ first baseman, has spent seven seasons dominating the Philadelphia Phillies, consistently launching home runs into the stands at Citizens Bank Park.
If a former MLB general manager’s prediction holds, those same fans might soon be cheering for Alonso’s blasts on their own team.
Veteran MLB executive Jim Bowden suggested the Phillies as a potential destination for Alonso this offseason, provided they’re open to shifting All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper back to the outfield. Bowden also named the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs as other teams that could pursue Alonso.
Few, if any, would fault the Phillies for targeting Pete Alonso, a four-time All-Star and one of the league’s top home run sluggers. Alonso inked a two-year, \$54 million deal in February, with the option to opt out after this season.
Heading into this weekend’s matchup against the high-powered Los Angeles Dodgers, Alonso is enjoying a career-best .292 batting average, with nine home runs, 37 RBIs, 16 doubles, and a stellar .931 OPS.
Although he’s on pace for a career-low 29 homers (excluding the 16 he hit during the shortened 2020 season), his 52 doubles would easily set a new Mets record, surpassing the previous high of 44 set by former left fielder Bernard Gilkey in 1996.
In 2023, the Phillies shifted Bryce Harper to first base following Rhys Hoskins’ ACL injury. Since then, Harper has played primarily at first or as the designated hitter (DH) for the past three seasons.
Harper hasn’t publicly ruled out a return to the outfield, nor has he made it clear he prefers to stay at first.
Another option for the Phillies could be to use either Alonso or Harper as the DH if Kyle Schwarber leaves via free agency. Jim Bowden suggested that the Atlanta Braves could be a potential landing spot for Schwarber, possibly as a replacement for Marcell Ozuna.
As for Alonso, he has a .251 batting average, with 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, and an .811 OPS in 94 career games against the Phillies. He’s had particular success against the Phillies’ ace, Aaron Nola, who has given up 17 hits and five home runs in 57 plate appearances against Alonso.
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