With less than a month until pitchers and catchers report, Major League Baseball’s offseason is winding down. Teams have only a few weeks left to finalize their rosters. Below, CBS Sports has gathered all of Thursday’s key news, rumors, and moves in one convenient spot.
Mets’ Final Proposal for Alonso
The Mets and longtime first baseman Pete Alonso have been in talks throughout the offseason about a possible reunion, but no deal has materialized. On Thursday, the New York Post reported that the Mets made a “final” offer, which was rejected, prompting them to “pivot away” from Alonso. The proposed deal was for three years, valued between $68 million and $70 million.
Just hours before this report, the Mets agreed to a one-year deal with veteran Jesse Winker and are now reportedly shifting their focus to strengthening the bullpen, with free agent lefty Tanner Scott a key target.
This suggests the Mets have come to the conclusion that Alonso’s time with the team is likely over, unless something unexpected occurs.
Our own Mike Axisa recently examined whether a short-term deal, like the one previously offered, would make sense for Alonso, the Mets, or another team.
At 30 years old, Alonso has spent his entire career with the Mets. Over six seasons, he’s posted a .249/.339/.514 line (134 OPS+) with 226 home runs. His contributions have been worth an estimated 19.8 Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference. A four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion, Alonso has been a key figure for New York.
CBS Sports ranked him as the 11th-best free agent entering the offseason. At the time, we noted that Alonso could face a colder market due to his status as a right-handed hitting first baseman nearing 30. While teams may make exceptions for generational talents like Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera, Alonso doesn’t quite fit that mold.
Blue Jays in on Alonso
It’s important to note that, according to The Athletic, other teams are still in the mix for Pete Alonso, including the Blue Jays. If Toronto were to acquire him, the expectation is that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would remain at first base.
Earlier this week, CBS Sports highlighted that the Blue Jays, coming off a disappointing season, are at a crossroads and need to clarify their short- and long-term plans. One option is to focus on immediate competitiveness, potentially upgrading the roster around Guerrero and Bo Bichette. However, if the Blue Jays were planning such a bold move, they likely would have already addressed their offseason targets. While the younger Roki Sasaki is an attractive option for either direction the Blue Jays decide to take, failing to land him could leave them without another chance to add a high-impact player this offseason. (That said, there are still some quality free agents, such as Alex Bregman and Jack Flaherty, and the trade market could provide additional opportunities before Opening Day.)
The Blue Jays are also one of three finalists for Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, with the Dodgers and Padres also believed to be contenders.
Jays, Guerrero extension talks to ‘accelerate’
Regarding Guerrero, The Athletic reports the following:
According to a source familiar with the discussions, the Blue Jays have not had any talks with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s camp about a contract extension since before Christmas. However, those talks are expected to pick up before Guerrero’s self-imposed deadline of February 17, the day before the team’s first full workout for pitchers and position players.
The 25-year-old Guerrero is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season. A four-time All-Star, he was the AL MVP runner-up in 2021 to Shohei Ohtani. Last season, Guerrero posted a .323/.396/.544 line (166 OPS+) with 44 doubles, 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, 98 runs, and 6.2 WAR.
The Blue Jays will need to not only offer a competitive financial package to persuade Guerrero to sign an extension but also convince him of the team’s long-term direction.
Padres grab backup catcher
The Padres have reached an agreement with free agent catcher Martín Maldonado, according to The Athletic.
Maldonado, 38, struggled offensively last season with the White Sox, posting a .119/.174/.230 line and -1.3 WAR. Known for his defense-first approach, he possesses a strong arm and is highly regarded for his work with pitchers. Maldonado was a key part of the Astros’ success over the years and earned a World Series ring with them in 2022.
Luis Campusano remains the Padres’ starting catcher.
