Chicago Cubs Rumors: Pete Alonso trade speculation begins amidst Mets' restructure

The New York Mets were in the middle of a sell-off at the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and that led the Chicago Cubs to come calling on first baseman Pete Alonso.

While there was not enough time ahead of the deadline for the Cubs and Mets to work out a trade involving Alonso, there was an expectation that the two sides would revisit talks this off-season.

It would seem that Alonso will be a popular name in the Cubs' rumor mill this season.

Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine joined Matt Spiegel on 670 The Score and mentioned that the Cubs will do "everything they can" to trade for Alonso this winter.

Credit to Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation that provided a transcript of what Levine said.

"The people I talk to, and I talk to a lot of scouts, as you know … and the situation is, the mumbling out there is that the Cubs are going to do everything they can for Pete Alonso from the Mets. Alonso is in the last year of a contract, obviously 46 home runs, 100 RBI, you know, a guy that pounds the ball. Sure he strikes out, but who doesn’t these days. And he’s one year away from being a free agent, much like Bellinger was. And the only difference, Matt, is that you’re going to have to trade something really good for him, even though there’s only one year left."

Bruce Levine

Interestingly enough, Levine started the Cubs' rumors about potential first base options last off-season. Last year, during the month of October, Levine was pushing the idea that the Cubs would be heavily involved in the market for Jose Abreu. Abreu, ultimately, signed a three-year deal with the Houston Astros.

The Cubs' plan for the first base position likely will center around the future of Cody Bellinger. Bellinger, through the emergence of Mike Tauchman, wound up playing more first base with the Cubs this season than the team may have originally anticipated. Surely, the Cubs will be involved in Bellinger's market but if the length and finances exceed what Jed Hoyer is comfortable with, then it is not a full certainty that Bellinger will be back next season.

The Mets' are in the middle of restructuring with former Milwaukee Brewers' executive David Stearns taking over New York's baseball operations and manager Buck Showalter revealing over the weekend that he will not be back next season. Stearns had all the obligatory remarks regarding Alonso's status with the team when asked by reporters about the first baseman's future with the team.

A trade for Alonso would certainly represent the Cubs opening their contention window as it likely will require a top prospect such as Kevin Alcantara to be included. Given the contract extension that would likely come with a trade for Alonso, such a scenario likely would mean that Bellinger is playing elsewhere in 2024.

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