Can the Yankees pull off what the Mets did to them when they signed Juan Soto? Analysts are already connecting the dots. But whispers are suggesting the Mets shouldn’t let history repeat itself. The tension is building as one of their slugger explores the market, and the Yankees are watching closely. With the Bronx seeking lineup reinforcement and the Queens desperate to keep their core intact, this off-season battle has all the makings of a Subway Series sequel.

The player in the talk? Pete Alonso. The 30-year-old first baseman has opted for free agency despite delivering a solid 2025 campaign that saw him play all 162 games while crushing 38 home runs and driving in 126 runs. Alonso posted a .272 batting average with a .524 slugging percentage and showed up when it mattered most. Analysts suggest the Yankees could be poised to sign him, as their lineup needs a powerful middle-order bat with Cody Bellinger hitting free agency. Adding him would protect Aaron Judge and cover for any Giancarlo Stanton injuries.

However, during a recent discussion on Baseball Night In New York on SNY, Dan Graca made a compelling case for prioritizing Alonso. He said on the YouTube channel, “I mean, you have to go with Pete here just because you think about what this team was offensively. They actually took a small step back in 2025, compared to 2024. And this was a team that had Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Lindor all having powerful years. I can’t think about the possibility of how they’re going to be able to put this together without that Pete lineup, especially in the middle of that batting order. Look, I understand there are limitations. I know that he’s a liability at times defensively, but I can’t imagine this lineup, guys, without Pete Alonso.”

The numbers back up that claim. In 2025, Soto batted .263 with 43 home runs and 105 RBIs, benefiting from Alonso’s presence behind him in the batting order. This made it difficult for pitchers to choose their pitches, allowing Soto to see better offerings all season. Alonso’s RBIs were the second most in the NL. This shows that he could come through in tough situations. And together, both he and Soto are a dangerous duo for any ballclub.

In fact, Dave Lennon also agreed to Graca. He said the Queens “need Pete. He’s an everyday guy. Soto needs the protection. He’s the one who impacts you every single day.”

The Mets struggled in 2025 and missed the playoffs with an 83-79 record. To have a chance at not only securing a playoff berth but also winning the Ring in 2026, they need to keep Alonso. The good news for Mets supporters is that their team has the money to make it happen. They have the highest payroll in the league, and they can afford Alonso’s $145 million contract.

The question now is whether Steve Cohen is willing to pay. Alonso has been the heart of the Mets since he set a record for most wins by a rookie in 2019. Letting him go would be a great loss, as he knows the ins and outs of the ballclub.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are circling and getting ready to add another All-Star to their team. The Mets stole the show this offseason when they signed Soto away from the Bronx. Now they need to make sure the Yankees don’t do the same thing and take the Polar Bear across town.

Well, for the Mets front office, the first baseman isn’t the only area of concern.

As Alonso’s future hangs, the Mets face a bullpen crisis too

The New York Mets now have a second big problem to deal with this offseason: they need to fix their bullpen problems before their rivals do.

Closer Edwin Diaz used his opt-out clause at the end of October and became a free agent. This left the Mets’ back end open. In 2025, he had a significant 1.63 ERA, saved 28 games, and struck out 98 batters in 62 games.

Now that Diaz is available to all teams, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers might see him as the bullpen upgrade they’ve been looking for. His great performance in 2025 makes him a good target for teams looking to improve their late-game pitching and reduce the risk of a bad draft decision by choosing a lesser option.

And the voices are saying to focus on him, too. John Jastremski pointed out by drawing a comparison. He said, “I look at the closers market. My goodness, it is a nightmare. Do you want Devin Williams closing games for the New York Mets?” Well, those who have followed know how the NYY suffered due to bullpen chaos, and Williams was one of the arms.

The Mets’ plans depended on having a strong bullpen to go with the Alonso-Soto middle order. The front office needs to move quickly, though, because both the middle-order bat and the closer could leave. If the team wants to compete in 2026, they need to find a plan with Diaz or locate a comparable pitcher and keep their offensive core together.