New York Mets: Could the Cano Trade Affect Peter Alonso’s Debut?
By Dylan Smith
With Robinson Cano expected to join the New York Mets, could we see Peter Alonso start the year as the club’s first baseman?
Assuming that the New York Mets finish their blockbuster deal with the Seattle Mariners, we are left wondering, how does this trade affect the future of top prospect, Peter Alonso? It is reasonable to assume that Alonso was considered untouchable during trade discussions as he is the organizations best offensive youngster.
The slugging righty arguably benefits from the prospective deal because the team is looking to shed itself of Jay Bruce, a player which stood in Alonso’s way within the Mets’ depth chart. Robinson Cano will become the club’s everyday second baseman, but does this open up the door for Peter Alonso to become the Mets’ starting first baseman?
I believe the answer to that question is YES. The New York Mets have an abundance of left-handed hitters that could find themselves on the team’s 25 man roster. Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, Dominic Smith, and Robinson Cano all hit from the left side of the plate. With Yoenis Cespedes injured, Todd Fraizer is the club’s only “threat” from the right side of the plate.
In my opinion, the Mets now NEED Peter Alonso in their everyday lineup. Since he is a right-handed hitter, his presence would provide the lineup with balance, a characteristic that they often lacked in 2018. More often than not, left-handed pitchers rolled through a left-handed heavy lineup.
Now the Mets could bring back Wilmer Flores, who is also a right-handed hitter. While Flores has shown that he can be a quality Major League hitter, he has never produced in an everyday role.
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Trading for Cano and Diaz is a move which attempts to thrust the Mets back into contention. Brining Flores back to be the team’s everyday first baseman is a conservative move that will keep the Mets puttering in neutral. Brodie Van Wagenen should bring back Flores, but ONLY as a bench player.
Acquiring Cano will give the New York Mets room for creativity. Cano is a legitimate force in the center of the batting order, he should help the Mets lengthen their lineup. Hopefully, this will help Fraizer and Alonso produce better as they will not be expected to be the club’s primary run support.
Even though Cano will be taking Jeff McNeil’s spot, the Mets could employ their youngster in a super utility role and still benefit from his talent. McNeil could be our version of Marwin Gonzalez.
Thor to Rockies makes sense. dark. Next
I was not a fan of this trade when the rumors first began to swirl, but it is now starting to grow on me. Even though Cano is old, probably overpriced and a “cheater”, he will still be able to benefit the New York Mets. We are finally beginning to see Brodie Van Wagenen’s view of the club and possibilities leave me excited for the beginning of Spring Training.