One team will do 'everything' to acquire Mets star via trade

It appears at least one National League club will take a significant swing at landing New York Mets All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso this offseason. 

MLB analyst Bruce Levine of Chicago sports radio station 670 The Score reported Tuesday that the Chicago Cubs "plan to inquire about the availability of" Alonso. Levine explained that the talent in the Cubs' farm system coupled with the "healthy condition of the organization’s revenue streams" could make such a trade possible and allow Chicago to sign Alonso to the type of contract he desires. 

As shared by Jimmy Hascup of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Levine said during an appearance on 670 The Score that "the mumbling out there is the Cubs are going to do everything they can to trade for Pete Alonso." 

Alonso is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported back on Aug. 22 that the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers explored acquiring the 28-year-old amid the Mets' trade-deadline fire sale. Rosenthal added at that time that "from the Mets' perspective, no deal was ever close," and any such talks occurred before former Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns officially accepted that role with the Mets. 

Stearns said during Monday's introductory news conference he expects Alonso to be the Mets' Opening Day first baseman next spring but offered no indication the two sides are close to a long-term agreement. Back on Sept. 20, Pat Ragazzo of FanNation's Inside the Mets reported that Alonso's camp is looking for a 10-year deal. Mike Puma of the New York Post said that same day that "any thought that the All-Star first baseman and the Mets are in agreement on any terms of a new contract appears misguided." 

According to Jessica Kleinschmidt of The Comeback, ESPN MLB reporter Jesse Rogers said during a Tuesday appearance on Chicago sports radio station ESPN 1000 that Alonso is interested in joining the Cubs and is "on the radar" for the NL Central club. That doesn't necessarily mean Stearns will shop the "Polar Bear," as it's thought the Mets could allow him to play through a contract year similar to how the New York Yankees handled reigning American League Most Valuable Player Aaron Judge last season.  

Meanwhile, Alonso has repeatedly said he loves representing both the Mets and New York but has to keep his options open, especially if the club plans to punt on the 2024 season with the second half of the decade in mind. 

"Pete is a great player," Stearns said about Alonso on Monday. "He is also good in the clubhouse, and he is also homegrown. All of that matters."