Pete Alonso's Top MLB Free-Agent Landing Spots After Cody Bellinger Traded to Yankees

The list of star first basemen reportedly available this offseason just got smaller.

The New York Yankees are acquiring outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Tuesday.

That takes one of the hottest positional trade names off the market and turns attention toward free agent Pete Alonso.

The 2024 season was a down campaign for Alonso defensively, although he appeared in all 162 games for the Mets while slashing .240/.329/.459 for 34 home runs and 88 RBI.

Alonso then played a key part in the Mets' run to the NLCS, including the ninth-inning home run that led the team to an NLDS-clinching wild-card victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

As the market for first basemen heats up, here's a look at the three landing spots that make the most sense for Alonso this winter.

There is still a chance Alonso could decide to return for a seventh season—and beyond—with the Mets.

Mets owner Steve Cohen told reporters during an introductory press conference for star outfielder Juan Soto on Dec. 12 that the club is "still engaged" in talks with Alonso.

"We hope that he stays," Cohen said, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns meanwhile had previously indicated that the record $765 million deal Soto inked in Queens would not stop the club from also re-signing Alonso.

"We'd love to bring Pete back," Stearns said (h/t Ben Krimmel of SNY), later adding: "I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that there's going to be resources when we need them."

If Alonso re-signs in New York, Mark Vientos could stay at third base after taking over the position last season. That could help the Mets staff the infield should reported free-agent target Alex Bregman head elsewhere this winter.

That could lead to the Mets hearing out trade interest for third base prospect Brett Baty. Puma reported earlier this month that other teams have asked about Baty's availablity this winter.

The Boston Red Sox have more roster tinkering to do after boosting their rotation by acquiring Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said last week that the club is still looking to add "a right-handed bat" in free agency. Alonso, whose 34 home runs last season would have ranked him first on the Red Sox roster, could add power to this batting order.

The Red Sox already have Triston Casas at first base, but it sounds like the team might be willing to move on from him this offseason. The club already included his name in a trade offer to the Seattle Mariners, which would have brought either Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo to Boston, Ryan Divish and Adam Jude reported for the Seattle Times.

The Mariners shot down the deal, per Divish and Jude. But the offer shows the Red Sox are willing to shop Casas this offseason.

Should the Red Sox deal their third baseman elsewhere, the addition of Alonso could fill Casas' spot in the infield while providing Breslow with the right-handed slugging he's looking for.

The Houston Astros are in need of some infield help after struggling to find a long-term solution at first base following Jose Abreu's release last season.

The four players who played for the Astros at first base last season batted a combined .226 while ranking 26th in the MLB with a .651 OPS.

Adding Alonso's firepower to the lineup at that spot would provide an instant boost to the Astros' offense, although which infield moves the Astros ultimately make this winter could hinge on Alex Bregman's decision in free agency.

Bregman, who reportedly received a six-year offer from the Astros, has reportedly received interest from other clubs including the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox in free agency.

Houston's need for more infield offense would become even greater without Bregman, who contributed 26 home runs in 2024. Should he walk this winter the Astros could consider courting Alonso in free agency.