MLB Insider: The latest on what I'm hearing on Pete Alonso, Blue Jays and Mets

The Pete Alonso sweepstakes have taken many twists and turns this offseason, perhaps none more so than on Thursday when reports surfaced that the slugger was increasingly unlikely to return to the New York Mets.

That belief, stemmed from a reported three-year offer in the $68-70 million range, is valid. But the reality is that Alonso returning to the Mets is still on the table. The two sides have talked recently and it's clear that each side is the best fit for each other.

If Alonso does depart in free agency, the Mets have options internally to replace him. The team could slide Mark Vientos to third base and move one of its internal options to third base. They could then use the money saved by not signing Alonso to sign, say, outfielder Jurickson Profar and/or another player.

So what could the rest of the Alonso market look like? Here’s what I’m hearing.

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Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays’ interest in Alonso makes sense.

Toronto has been star searching the last couple offseasons, being heavily involved in the Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto sweepstakes. They swung and missed on each of them, but remain committed to winning in 2025 and beyond.

That has fueled their pursuit of Alonso, who the team has been engaged with in recent days. He would be the first base and, if signed, could help form a foundation capable of keeping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Toronto for the long-term. The sentiment in Toronto, sources said, is that if Alonso is signed, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not being traded.

Toronto has no plans to trade Guerrero Jr. this offseason. They want to win. They are very serious about winning. And that’s why they’re trying for Alonso. Whether or not they will be successful in convincing  him to come to Canada remains to be seen, but they are trying.

New York Mets

If Alonso doesn’t sign with the Mets, where do they pivot?

As mentioned above, Jurickson Profar is a player of interest to the Mets. They have shown interest in the free-agent slugger for the majority of the offseason and would add depth and leadership to the outfield, with Profar coming off a season in which he hit .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI in 3.6 innings.

Another element to watch with the Mets is the bullpen market, which the team has been actively involved in all offseason. A player of interest has been Tanner Scott, the star left-handed reliever who played with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres last season. But Scott is one of a handful of names the team is considering.