"Hitting behind Aaron Judge most of the season, Bellinger batted .272 with 29 home runs and an .813 OPS in 152 games in 2025. He was especially productive against left-handed pitching despite hitting left-handed, leading all left-handed hitters in on-base percentage (.415) and slugging (.601) against lefties.
"He was also one of the sport's top defenders: Bellinger accumulated seven Outs Above Average and eight Defensive Runs Saved between the three outfield positions and first base. He added 13 steals in 15 attempts. His 4.9 fWAR was tied with Kyle Schwarber for 18th in the majors and second on the Yankees behind Judge."
Boras hasn’t been the super agent he has in the past. Yes, he got the Soto deal for his legacy but others haven’t fared as well recently. He has a good relationship with Cohen too. What this means? Most likely nothing but unless Pete gets blown out of the water from some other team (doubtful) he knows his legacy in NY and the grass isn’t always greener just because the money sways you there. I think he knows that his best chance to win a WS is here. We will obviously see how this shakes out but I really feel he will be back.
Yes? Ask Pete if he’ll accept being a full-time DH. Then move Lindor to 2nd, play Acuna at short and Baty at 3rd and find out what trade value there is for Vientos, Mauricio & McNeil.
You can't play good baseball while being bad bad in the field. We must must MUST improve defensively.
If there's one remit on the desk of David Stearns besides reconstructing our pitching, especially starting pitching, it's that. And he's going to need to be ruthless about it.
First blaming Alonso for Senga getting hurt is a stretch. Not like he injured him. He threw the ball high. A major league pitcher (who is an athlete as well) made an athletic move to leap for a high throw and got hurt. Not sure Alonso is to blame for Senga having tight hamstrings.
The problem with Alonso is there no comparable replacement for him available now, but how does it age. I would have no issue with a 3-year, 100 million deal. And then lets see where the team is. But Pete probably isn't, nor should he take that, unless there are no other options.
The issue is also that Soto and Nimmo are both also heading towards being highly price bat only options. Soto is terrible in right field, although a lot of that I think is hustle, while Nimmo has always been the Venus De Milo in the outfield, and his range has gone down.
Benge is the center fielder of the future, has a strong arm, but has always profiled as eventually moving to right field. - well not with Soto there.
I wonder how Nimmo would transition to 1B. 2026 will be his age 33 year and he's signed through 2030, his age 37 season and he's still got that bad foot. It's a terrible team contract but it is what it is.
"So, can the Mets protect Alonso better defensively if they find an upgrade at second base?" That's over my head. Never heard of protecting a poor fielding first baseman by installing a great fielder at 2nd. Scooping low throws is not Alonso's problem. Besides, the Mets have far bigger fish to fry than second base. McNeil is pretty good, Acuna has big potential, and Baty is good. I agree that Alonso's benefits outweigh the poor fielding and there aren't good alternatives.
In AAA, the Mets have Ryan Clifford developing nicely as a hitter. Haven't seen anything on his defense, good or bad. So there's that for the future of the position. One thing to keep in mind with Alonso and the DH is Soto will need to slide into that role at some point. Sterns definitely should resign Alonso, but to a contract of five years or so, knowing Soto's future. But can the Mets have Clifford play part time at 1B with Alsonso as Alonso fades into DH full time? And be successful at the transition? Be interesting to see.
Ain't none. They'll have to reach deep into Uncle Steve's pocket. The glaring holes in starting pitching and center field are enough to worry about without finding a nonexistent Alonso replacement.
Report: Bellinger to opt out
"Hitting behind Aaron Judge most of the season, Bellinger batted .272 with 29 home runs and an .813 OPS in 152 games in 2025. He was especially productive against left-handed pitching despite hitting left-handed, leading all left-handed hitters in on-base percentage (.415) and slugging (.601) against lefties.
"He was also one of the sport's top defenders: Bellinger accumulated seven Outs Above Average and eight Defensive Runs Saved between the three outfield positions and first base. He added 13 steals in 15 attempts. His 4.9 fWAR was tied with Kyle Schwarber for 18th in the majors and second on the Yankees behind Judge."
We should target him, no doubt .
Boras hasn’t been the super agent he has in the past. Yes, he got the Soto deal for his legacy but others haven’t fared as well recently. He has a good relationship with Cohen too. What this means? Most likely nothing but unless Pete gets blown out of the water from some other team (doubtful) he knows his legacy in NY and the grass isn’t always greener just because the money sways you there. I think he knows that his best chance to win a WS is here. We will obviously see how this shakes out but I really feel he will be back.
Would Soto consider moving to 1B?
Yes? Ask Pete if he’ll accept being a full-time DH. Then move Lindor to 2nd, play Acuna at short and Baty at 3rd and find out what trade value there is for Vientos, Mauricio & McNeil.
You can't play good baseball while being bad bad in the field. We must must MUST improve defensively.
If there's one remit on the desk of David Stearns besides reconstructing our pitching, especially starting pitching, it's that. And he's going to need to be ruthless about it.
Totally agree with your take on Pete;
traditional metrics, advanced metrics, and the eye test all confirm that Pete is a very poor defensive first basemen.
However, we have to bring him back for the reasons you cited.
First blaming Alonso for Senga getting hurt is a stretch. Not like he injured him. He threw the ball high. A major league pitcher (who is an athlete as well) made an athletic move to leap for a high throw and got hurt. Not sure Alonso is to blame for Senga having tight hamstrings.
The problem with Alonso is there no comparable replacement for him available now, but how does it age. I would have no issue with a 3-year, 100 million deal. And then lets see where the team is. But Pete probably isn't, nor should he take that, unless there are no other options.
The issue is also that Soto and Nimmo are both also heading towards being highly price bat only options. Soto is terrible in right field, although a lot of that I think is hustle, while Nimmo has always been the Venus De Milo in the outfield, and his range has gone down.
Benge is the center fielder of the future, has a strong arm, but has always profiled as eventually moving to right field. - well not with Soto there.
I wonder how Nimmo would transition to 1B. 2026 will be his age 33 year and he's signed through 2030, his age 37 season and he's still got that bad foot. It's a terrible team contract but it is what it is.
"So, can the Mets protect Alonso better defensively if they find an upgrade at second base?" That's over my head. Never heard of protecting a poor fielding first baseman by installing a great fielder at 2nd. Scooping low throws is not Alonso's problem. Besides, the Mets have far bigger fish to fry than second base. McNeil is pretty good, Acuna has big potential, and Baty is good. I agree that Alonso's benefits outweigh the poor fielding and there aren't good alternatives.
In AAA, the Mets have Ryan Clifford developing nicely as a hitter. Haven't seen anything on his defense, good or bad. So there's that for the future of the position. One thing to keep in mind with Alonso and the DH is Soto will need to slide into that role at some point. Sterns definitely should resign Alonso, but to a contract of five years or so, knowing Soto's future. But can the Mets have Clifford play part time at 1B with Alsonso as Alonso fades into DH full time? And be successful at the transition? Be interesting to see.
With his defensive shortcomings, I don't know if the Mets will have a better option available at 1B. Does anyone have a better option?
Ain't none. They'll have to reach deep into Uncle Steve's pocket. The glaring holes in starting pitching and center field are enough to worry about without finding a nonexistent Alonso replacement.
I totally agree with what you identify what they need to do this off season.