The Chicago Cubs did not live up to expectations after a busy offseason in 2024. They plan to be active in free agency this winter, aiming to win the National League Central.
While discussing free agents the Cubs should target instead of going after Juan Soto, FanSided’s Zach Pressnell suggested that the Cubs should sign Pete Alonso from the New York Mets.
“All season, it was obvious that the Cubs needed to add a slugger to their lineup. Not only that, but Chicago needed an everyday first baseman as well. Because of this, they were heavily connected to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso at the trade deadline,” wrote Pressnell. “The Mets were too good to sell, deciding to hold onto Alonso through the year.”
Alonso will be one of the priciest players available, but the Cubs have enough money. Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension last summer, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Spotrac estimates that Alonso will sign a six-year, $174 million deal in free agency.
“Teams like the Mets and Mariners will be very aggressive in bringing Alonso in. The Mets are going to be aggressive on Juan Soto, so it’s hard to imagine they find the money to try to land both Alonso and Soto,” wrote Pressnell.
Even though Alonso is very good, it’s hard to picture any team that might get Soto, including the Mets, choosing Alonso over Soto. The Cubs can compete financially with Soto’s main contenders, but there is no sign that he will want to join the Cubs. The favorites to acquire him are the Mets and Yankees.
