it took a record-breaking $765 million deal to get it done, but the New York Mets found a way to bring outfielder Juan Soto to Queens. Another item on president of baseball operations David Stearns’ to-do list includes acquiring a player to hit behind the 26-year-old in New York’s lineup. Will the Mets re-sign first baseman Pete Alonso or cut ties with their homegrown star to land third baseman Alex Bregman?

Heading into the winter, Alonso could’ve fit on several teams. However, potential fits such as the New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Washington Nationals opted for other players. The Mets are the “most obvious fit” for the right-handed slugger, but the New York Post’s Jon Heyman noted there’s a sizable gap in negotiations.

Is there a way to get something done? FOX Sports’ Rowan Kavner thinks the Polar Bear will stay with the Mets on a long-term deal.

“Now that the Astros and Yankees have already found their answers at first base in free agency, I think it comes down to the Mets and (San Francisco) Giants for Alonso with a return to Queens ultimately in the cards. I could see this contract getting creative, but let’s say six years, $156 million,” Kavner wrote.

This prediction would be close to the seven-year, $158 million extension offer Alonso rejected in June 2023. If he does remain with the Mets, he’ll have a good shot at becoming the club’s all-time home run leader in 2025.

He’s crushed 226 homers through his first six big-league seasons, which currently ranks third in Mets history. If he stays in Queens, Alonso will have two more homegrown stars to pass before reaching the top: David Wright (242 homers) and Darryl Strawberry (252 homers).