Mets Trade Rumors: GMs think Pete Alonso and JD Martinez would be made available by team for possible trade talks before July 30, per insider
The New York Mets are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline and one insider believes both Pete Alonso and JD Martinez could be on the block. This shouldn't come as a surprise, given the club's disappointing start to the season.
Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, rival teams believe the Mets may still involve Pete Alonso and JD Martinez in potential trade talks.
“While the Mets say they still have intentions of being a playoff team this year, GMs remain convinced the Mets will still make first baseman Pete Alonso and DH J.D. Martinez available in talks before the July 30 trade deadline," Nightengale said.
The Mets are 21-25 following a Sunday win over the Miami Marlins. They are third in the NL East, 12 games behind division leaders, the Philadelphia Phillies. While they still aim to steer the ship in October, their performances so far have been underwhelming.
Martinez is only signed for a season and if things don't improve, trading him won't be a bad option. In 79 plate appearances, he has put up a .315/.359/.466 slash line.
As for Alonso, his getting traded can cause a stir among fans, given the love the three-time All-Star garners among the faithful. This season, he hasn't looked his usual self, though, hitting only .230, including 10 homers and 23 RBIs.
Pete Alonso reportedly offered a long-term extension by Mets' old management
As per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets offered the first baseman a six-year extension last year that would have covered his final year of arbitration eligibility plus six seasons. The extension was reported to be worth over $158 million over seven years.
Interestingly, it came from the Mets previous general manager, Billy Eppler, who is now replaced by David Stearns in the position. As things stand, Alonso didn't sign the contract, and understandably so, as both Matt Olson and Freddie Freeman, benchmarks at the position, were given way more than what Eppler's team offered.
Olson signed an eight-year, $168 million deal with the Braves, while Freeman inked a six-year, $162 million extension with the Dodgers.
With the Mets sliding in the last few years, the club may now see Pete Alonso as more of a trade asset than a long-term asset.