The New York Mets have completed the replacement of star first baseman Pete Alonso, who left the franchise to sign with the Baltimore Orioles for five years and $155 million. The team has reached an agreement with former Seattle Mariners player Jorge Polanco on a two-year, $40 million contract, which equates to an average annual value of $20 million.
This move marks the Mets’ first major free agency acquisition since they traded Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers, however, it did not leave their fans very happy, who criticized the move on social media.
Mets fans explode after learning of Pete Alonso’s replacement
Although Polanco is a versatile player capable of covering second base, third base and shortstop, the deal positions him primarily at first base and as a designated hitter, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The ballplayer arrives after a solid 2025 season, where he hit .265 with 26 home runs and 78 RBIs in 138 games, but does not convince the fans.
Despite his offensive numbers, the signing has caused a wave of disappointment and outrage among the fans, who feel that the team has not found an adequate replacement for Alonso.
Social media reactions have been blunt, criticizing the decision and the apparent inconsistency in general manager Stearns’ strategy: “Replacing Pete Alonso with Jorge Polanco is CRAZY because that’s not a trade, that’s a philosophical twist,” commented one fan on X.
Another fan explained that “Polanco has never played at first base, while Pete Alonso led MLB in scooping pitches out of the dirt.” The truth is that Alonso’s replacement did not leave the fans happy and time will tell if the Mets did the right thing or not.
Edwin Diaz explains why he left the Mets for the Dodgers
Another painful departure the Mets suffered was that of Edwin Diaz, who opted to join the Los Angeles Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract.
Diaz valued all the time he spent with the Mets, but explained that the Dodgers are an ambitious team and he wants to go for it all. “I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization. I’m looking to win. And I think they have everything to do that. To be honest, choosing the Dodgers was pretty easy.”
The Mets have already lost two key players and the patience of the fans is beginning to run out. With the market still open, the team is looking for a replacement and, for now, this would not be coming in the best way.
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