Scott Boras confirms Cubs' interest in free agent Pete Alonso - but there's a catch

As Kyle Tucker trade rumors continue to swirl around the Chicago Cubs, Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins continue to explore all possible avenues of improving the team heading into 2025 - including checking in on key free agents.

Scott Boras, who represents Alonso, confirmed on Wednesday that the Cubs were among the clubs he's met with regarding the four-time All-Star. But before you start dreaming of Alonso and Tucker hitting back-to-back in the middle of the lineup next summer, take into account Chicago was one of 26 teams that have discussed Alonso with Boras already.

The New York Mets, the only team Alonso has ever played for, maintains a high level of interest in a reunion - even after luring Juan Soto to Queens with a 15-year, $765 million deal that could eventually eclipse $800 million before it's all said and done. Last season, he hit 34 home runs, drove in 88 and posted a 123 OPS+, playing in all 162 of the Mets' regular-season contests.

"We’d love to bring Pete back,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “Pete’s been a great Met. He had some enormous hits for us, and we’ll see where that goes.”

Given how the Cubs' roster is currently constructed, the fit isn't there. But if Wednesday's trade rumors are, indeed, accurate and Seiya Suzuki and/or Isaac Paredes are part of a potential Kyle Tucker deal, that changes things. Michael Busch could slide over to third until Matt Shaw is ready or he could stay at first, with Alonso serving as the everyday DH.

Hoyer and Hawkins seem to have a lot of balls in the air, so it's hard to put all the pieces together right now. Last season, Chicago ranked 17th in the league in slugging percentage and whether you want to blame roster construction, conditions at Wrigley or a combination of the two, it's clear there's room to add power to this lineup.

Alonso certainly checks that box - but for it to make sense for the Cubs, his market will have to play weaker than expected because this front office isn't going to go to outlandish lengths to bring in a guy who, while impactful offensively, delivers all his value with the stick and who could age poorly on a long-term pact.