The New York Mets are at a crossroads because their star player is about to leave. Pete Alonso, the Polar Bear, who hit 38 home runs and drove in 126 runs this season, has made it clear that he wants to leave the last year and $24 million of his contract to see what free agency has to offer. But the front office may not wait around to see what happens now that Queens has an open spot at first base.

Anthony DiComo said that the Mets were already looking into backup plans before the season was over.

“The Mets and Rays discussed a deal involving Yandy Díaz leading up to the Trade Deadline, according to a person with knowledge of the talks, even though Díaz would have been limited to third base and DH with Alonso around,” DiComo reported. The organization was preparing for this exact scenario months ago.

Díaz is an interesting option to replace someone after hitting .300 with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs for Tampa Bay. But his poor defense at first base makes things harder for the Mets, who had the 14th-best fielding percentage and really need to get better.

DiComo noted that if Díaz becomes available, the Mets will have to compete with smaller-market teams that want him because he only makes $12 million a year. The trade would probably cost the team valuable prospects like Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong, but the team with the highest payroll in baseball has never been afraid to go after its goals.

The Yankees, on the other hand, are circling.

Jon Heyman said on a Bleacher Report livestream that more than one person in the Yankees’ front office is really interested in Alonso.

“At least some people in the Yankees do like Alonso. They have first base open,” Heyman stated.

The first base position is still wide open because Paul Goldschmidt is going to free agency after one year, and Ben Rice is having trouble on defense, even though he hit 26 home runs and had an OPS of .836. Alonso is likely to get a deal worth more than $100 million, but signing him would be the best way to get back at the Mets for taking Juan Soto in a $765 million deal last winter.

If this move happens, it would shake up New York baseball and change the story from last winter’s free agency drama. The Bronx is still planning its next move, but the New York Mets already have a backup plan in place.

Josh Naylor could fill the Mets’ first base void

The Mets aren’t just sitting around waiting for the Yankees to sign their revenge player. They need someone to take Alonso’s place at first base, and Josh Naylor is a good choice. The slugger brings the kind of production that Queens really needs right now.

Naylor built his reputation on being consistent, and last season showed why teams should pay attention.

He hit 20 home runs and drove in 92 runs, showing that he is the kind of player NYM needs in the middle of their order. Anthony DiComo noted that Naylor could be the perfect replacement for Alonso because he can hit for power and add a dynamic baserunning element. Last season, he stole 30 bases, which made pitchers always look over their shoulders.

The defensive stats tell an equally impressive story.

Naylor has a strikeout percentage of 13.7%, which puts him in the 91st percentile among major league hitters. That top-notch ability to make contact means that he always gets at-bats and makes reliable production. He is comfortable at first base, so he won’t have to learn anything new and can help out right away on both sides of the ball.

For the Mets, Naylor is a new beginning that doesn’t cost as much as Alonso does. The organization gets a talented player who can handle the pressure of New York, and Naylor gets to show what he can do on baseball’s biggest stage.