By Adeniyi Precious 
Looks like the Mets are bracing for life without Pete Alonso, and they’re shifting gears to build a future without their star slugger. With free agent hitters asking for Alonso-like contracts, re-signing Jose Iglesias on a budget seems like a smart move for the team’s new direction under Stearns.
Jose Iglesias: The Comeback King
After being out of the game for a year, Jose Iglesias stunned everyone in 2024. At 34, he delivered a career-best 3.1 WAR—surpassing Alonso’s 2.6 WAR, and he played half as many games! Sure, we all got caught up in the “OMG” (One Man Gang) vibes that energized the clubhouse and the fans, but the real story was how Iglesias practically dragged the Mets into the playoffs.
When the Mets were barely holding onto the final wildcard spot, facing a brutal schedule with 13 of their last 16 games against playoff teams, Iglesias went off. With Lindor out for 10 of those games, Iglesias turned into a hitting machine, batting .397 with 27 hits and just eight strikeouts in that stretch. The guy was unstoppable.
Pete’s Potential Exit and the Team’s Future
If Pete Alonso walks, the Mets are still in a good spot. He’s projected for a 2.7 WAR season in 2025, but the Mets brought in Juan Soto and Jose Siri, who together could contribute 8.2 WAR. Add Iglesias into the mix, and you’ve got a net boost of +7 WAR—all while saving big bucks and gaining more flexibility in the infield.
Despite the uncertainty at first and third base, the 2025 Mets are already stronger on paper than last year. Fangraphs even has them as the 4th best team in baseball, behind only the Dodgers, Yankees, and Braves. So, yeah, losing Alonso wouldn’t be ideal, but the Mets aren’t exactly falling apart.
The Cult Hero of Queens
Even Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos joined the Iglesias hype train, calling him the “unanimous National League MVP” on a podcast. That’s definitely over-the-top, but there’s no denying Iglesias’ impact on and off the field. He’s a fan favorite, a clutch performer, and someone who deserves at least one more season in Queens.
Long story short, Pete Alonso may be on his way out, but the Mets aren’t sweating it too much. With key additions and Iglesias in the mix, they’re looking like serious contenders for 2025.