If there‘s one certainty about the New York Mets this offseason, it‘s that they will be “aggressive” — David Stearns’ words — in trying to augment their roster. Where they go from there will define the 2025 roster and beyond. While the Mets are expected to be contenders for most of the marquee free agents, it is not accurate to say that star outfielder Juan Soto is atop their wishlist nor is it inevitable that homegrown slugger Pete Alonso will return — at least according to former MLB general manager Jim Bowden.
BUY METS TICKETS: STUBHUB , VIVID SEATS , TICKETMASTER “But let’s be clear with what David Stearns wants to do because I keep hearing Soto and (Pete) Alonso,” Bowden said Friday on MLB Network Radio . “So Alonso, that’s not really what he wants to do. He wants (Corbin) Burnes and Soto, and he’d like to get a better defensive third baseman and move (Mark) Vientos to first.
That’s what he wants. And I think that Steve Cohen’s going to listen to David Stearns. That’s why he hired him and paid him all that money.
“No. 1, he wants to build the starting rotation, right? He wants Corbin Burnes. That’s his absolute No.
1 priority. No. 2, he’d like to have Juan Soto.
So if he can do anything, the first two moves are Burnes and Soto. No. 3, he would like a third baseman, and move Vientos to first base.
So his preference would be: Go get Willy Adames and let him play third, or go get Alex Bregman to play third. He’s really big on defens.