While Pete Alonso’s market is progressing slowly, the New York Mets are reportedly targeting another high-profile free agent still available.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand in an article published Tuesday, the Mets are one of the teams showing interest in free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Other teams linked to Bregman include the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Bregman, who will turn 31 in March, is a two-time World Series champion, two-time All-Star, and one-time Silver Slugger award winner. He also just completed his first Gold Glove-winning season. After declining a one-year qualifying offer from the Astros, Bregman reportedly received a six-year offer from the team, but recent developments have cast doubt on his return to Houston.
The Astros recently acquired infielder Isaac Paredes and top third-base prospect Cam Smith in the Kyle Tucker trade, which could signal the beginning of a rebuild for the franchise. Additionally, Houston has been connected to trade discussions for 10-time Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado, whose contract is favorable for the next few years.
Bregman has been a consistently strong hitter throughout his nine-year MLB career, never striking out more than 97 times in a season. In 2024, he posted a .260/.315/.453 slash line, with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs in 145 games.
Since 2022, Bregman ranks seventh among MLB third basemen and second in the American League with +16 Outs Above Average (OAA). He has maintained a 4.0 fWAR or higher in all but three seasons, with those years impacted by a midseason call-up (2016), a COVID-shortened season (2020), and a quadriceps injury in 2021 that sidelined him for two months. Overall, he has been a durable player.
If the Mets were to sign Bregman, it would likely make a reunion with Alonso less likely. In that scenario, Mark Vientos—who has limited experience at first base, with just 14 MLB games and 70 in the minors—could transition to the position full-time.
Regardless of whether the Mets pursue Alonso or Bregman, both players would offer solid protection for newly acquired star Juan Soto. Soto had a strong 2024 season, thriving with AL MVP Aaron Judge hitting behind him in the Yankees’ lineup. One advantage Bregman holds over Alonso is his ability to form a top-tier defensive left side of the infield alongside shortstop Francisco Lindor.
It remains unclear how much Alonso and Bregman will demand on the open market, particularly since both previously declined six-year offers. Both are represented by agent Scott Boras, and former Mets general manager Steve Phillips recently suggested on MLB Network that this could lead to a leverage conflict for the Mets in their pursuit of either player.
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