The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly expressed interest in Pete Alonso, one of the top remaining sluggers available in free agency. This news, shared by Jon Heyman of the New York Post during an MLB Network appearance, positions the Blue Jays among the teams vying for Alonso’s services.
Blue Jays’ Offseason Outlook and Potential Fit for Alonso
The Blue Jays are already considered the front-runners to land Anthony Santander, another highly sought-after bat in this offseason market. While adding either Alonso or Santander would bolster the team’s offensive capabilities, securing both could significantly enhance their lineup. For fans, such additions would bring optimism, especially since this offseason is beginning to resemble last year’s, which left some gaps unaddressed.
Alonso, known for his prodigious power, batted .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs over 695 plate appearances for the New York Mets in 2024. While this performance was solid, it marked a decline from his 2023 campaign, when he hit 46 home runs. In 2024, Alonso posted a 2.1 fWAR (FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement) and a 122 wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus), still showcasing above-average offensive value.
Alonso’s best season remains his rookie year in 2019, when he slashed .260/.358/.583 and smashed a career-high 53 home runs in 693 plate appearances. That year, he registered a 4.7 fWAR and a 144 wRC+, cementing his reputation as a premier power hitter. Notably, he also won the Home Run Derby that year, defeating none other than Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a name closely tied to Alonso in this discussion.
Challenges with Positional Fit
A key question surrounding Alonso’s potential fit with the Blue Jays is whether his skill set aligns with the team’s current roster construction. Guerrero Jr. is already one of the best first basemen in baseball, primarily due to his offensive prowess. However, there is some flexibility in Guerrero Jr.’s defensive role. Having grown up playing third base, he could shift back to that position to accommodate Alonso. In fact, Guerrero Jr. logged 100 innings at third base after the 2024 trade deadline, his most significant time at the position since his rookie year in 2019 when he played 824.1 innings there.
Interestingly, Guerrero Jr.’s defensive metrics at third base have shown improvement. He recorded 1 Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2024 in a small sample size, a stark contrast to his league-worst -20 OAA at the position in 2019. This development suggests a move back to third base could be a viable option if Alonso joins the team.
Another potential solution would be utilizing Alonso as the team’s designated hitter (DH). In this scenario, Alonso could focus primarily on his offensive contributions, while occasionally filling in at first base when Guerrero Jr. requires rest. Given that neither Alonso nor Guerrero Jr. is particularly strong defensively at first base, this setup might allow the Blue Jays to maximize Alonso’s value as a power hitter without compromising defense.
Potential Impact on the Blue Jays’ Lineup
Adding Alonso’s bat to the Blue Jays’ lineup would provide a significant boost in power, especially if combined with a signing like Santander. Alonso’s consistent ability to hit 30-40 home runs annually would address a key need for more slugging in the middle of the order. Additionally, as a right-handed hitter, Alonso would bring balance to a lineup already brimming with talent.
The Blue Jays’ interest in Alonso highlights their commitment to bolstering their offensive production. While there may be challenges in fitting Alonso into the roster defensively, the upside of his bat would likely outweigh these concerns. A move to acquire both Alonso and Santander would be a game-changer for the team’s lineup, though it wouldn’t solve all of their needs. Still, it would represent a strong start to addressing their offensive gaps.
Final Thoughts
Pete Alonso’s power-hitting ability makes him one of the most coveted free agents still on the market, and his potential addition to the Blue Jays would significantly enhance their lineup’s potency. While the team would need to address positional challenges, Alonso’s offensive impact—combined with a possible acquisition of Anthony Santander—could set the stage for a successful offseason. For the Blue Jays, acquiring Alonso would not only add another premier slugger but also provide fans with renewed hope for the upcoming season.
