Former Cubs All-Star connected to the Mets as possible Pete Alonso replacement

Pete Alonso isn't joining the Chicago Cubs - despite a behind-closed-doors meeting between the five-time All-Star and the club this week in Orlando. The Polar Bear is headed to Baltimore, removing his powerful bat from the National League equation in the process.

His departure could still yet have an impact on the NL Central, though. According to MLB.com, David Stearns and the Mets have reached out to Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals on a pair of players: Lars Nootbar and former Cubs All-Star Willson Contreras.

Mets have rumored interest in Willson Contreras to replace Pete Alonso

Last winter, Contreras wanted to part of waiving the no-trade clause included in the five-year deal he signed with St. Louis ahead of the 2022 season. But with Bloom taking over from longtime exec John Mozeliak and a rebuild in full-go mode, his thinking seems to have changed - and the Cards are poised to move anything not bolted to the floor.

It's a near-perfect fit from New York's standpoint. Over the last three years, Contreras boasts a 127 OPS+ in more than 1,400 plate appearances - and his price tag ($18 million in 2026, $18.5 million in 2027 and a $17.5 million team option for 2028) is more than palatable for that level of production. Production-wise, Contreras and Alonso have been closer than you might think during in recent years, so the drop-off might not be quite as chasmic as some may initially believe.

Contreras would also be an upgrade defensively over Alonso, who will almost certainly be a full-time DH before his five-year deal with the O's draws to a close. He checked in with +6 Outs Above Average at first last year, with Alonso at a dismal -9 OAA. Run prevention matters, folks.

Since signing with the Cardinals, Contreras has become a villain to many Cubs fans after taking shots at his former club early on in his St. Louis tenure. His time with the Redbirds has been anything but smooth as the two sides seemed to get off on the wrong foot almost immediately, but the production has been there, helping keep things on an even keel.

A St. Louis fire sale will, at least in the short term, weaken the division for the Cubs, who still need to prove they're capable of vanquishing the rival Brewers for the NL Central crown. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh were both in on Kyle Schwarber, but seem unlikely to go to such lengths for any other free agent. So, all told, a Contreras-to-the-Mets trade seems to help Chicago, at least in terms of their path to the top of the Central.