Cubs met with Pete Alonso before Orioles deal and now face a major offseason pivot

When Pete Alonso's signing with the Baltimore Orioles was revealed, sure, it was surprising, but not in the sense of the Chicago Cubs' losing out on the target. Throughout the offseason, the Cubs weren't connected to Alonso, and it made sense, considering the ascension of Michael Busch last season. Which is why, in the aftermath of Alonso's signing, the New York Post's Jon Heyman offered a surprising tidbit on Alonso and the Cubs.

Alonso made a secret appearance at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, meeting with both the Boston Red Sox and Cubs on Tuesday. The meeting with the Red Sox makes sense, with many believing Boston entered the week as one of the favorites to sign the All-Star slugger.

The meeting with the Cubs comes as a complete surprise and could hint at a larger pivot Jed Hoyer is looking to make this offseason. Amidst rumors of the Cubs being in trade talks with the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals, there has been speculation that the front office may prefer to trade for a cost-controlled starting pitcher and then use money in free agency on an impact bat.

The Cubs' secret meeting with Pete Alonso could hint at a shift in their offseason approach.

Under that strategy, it's possible the Cubs were entertaining a scenario where Owen Caissie was traded to the Miami Marlins as part of a package for Edward Cabrera, and then Alonso was signed to take over as the team's designated hitter with Seiya Suzuki being in right field. That seemingly is the only scenario where the Cubs' potential interest in Alonso makes sense.

The other idea is that the Cubs were just doing Scott Boras a solid with the hope that it would help in negotiations for either Tatsuya Imai, Zac Gallen, or Alex Bregman. With the Mets not rushing out to meet Alonso's asking price, and Boston's offer being for fewer years and less money, it's certainly plausible to think the Cubs were used only as a way to drive up the Orioles' offer before he signed on the dotted lined.

Regardless of the intention, many Cubs fans will take this news as another example of the Cubs not living up to their offseason promises. It's certainly possible that proves to be the case in February, but we're not currently at that point.