Mets Make 'Highly Notable' Move on Potential $300M Pete Alonso Replacement
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The New York Mets are enduring a rough stretch in their season, but the roster should be talented enough to right the ship before playoff time.
Team owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns worked diligently in the offseason to reload a team that reached the National League Championship Series last year with some reinforcement that can help them return.
Most notably, that included Juan Soto. But it also included a reunion with Pete Alonso, who returned to the team on a two-year deal with a player option after this season. And as it seems likely that Alonso will exercise that option and seek a longer-term contract moving forward, the Mets' latest scouting decision could mean they have a replacement in mind.
"Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was in Japan on Tuesday to watch slugger Munetaka Murakami's game against the Yokohoma DeNA BayStars," Danny Abriano reported for SNY. "Murakami, a first baseman/third baseman for the Yakult Swallows, could be a free agent this offseason — making Stearns' presence at his game potentially highly notable. ... In the event that Alonso opts out and leaves as a free agent, it's conceivable Murakami could be his replacement at first base."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field on September 14, 2023...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field on September 14, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image) More
Sloter/Getty
At 25 years old, Murakami is the most promising Japanese professional likely to head stateside as a free agent this offseason. He has emerged as a Nippon Professional Baseball superstar in his eight-season career, with a .273/.394/.543 slash line and 246 homers.
As a result, he is likely to garner a significant contract when he joins Major League Baseball.
"He's already a two-time Nippon Professional Baseball MVP," Steven Adams noted for MLB Trade Rumors. "Age and track record alone make him a candidate for a nine-figure deal, and a big enough performance could see him push for $200MM+ or even $300MM+, following in (Yoshinobu) Yamamoto's footsteps."
Murakami hit a walk-off home run with Stearns in attendance on Tuesday. And that might be a sign of things to come for the Mets as Alonso heads toward a contract opt-out.
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