Latest Mets rumor gives Pirates a path to enter Pete Alonso sweepstakes

The Pirates reportedly offered $125M to Kyle Schwarber. Yes, it was just an offer and he didn't even sign with them, but there was an effort. It is clear they are actually trying to spend some money this offseason. Now that Schwarber is off the board, the Pirates should pivot to a different slugger in Pete Alonso.

Alonso may be tough to persuade to join the Pirates after coming from the Mets, but a recent report by Mark Feinsand gives Pittsburgh an advantage if they choose to use the earmarked Schwarber money and really enter this market. Feinsand wrote on Tuesday that the main sticking point between Alonso and New York is the years. The Mets are reluctant to offer him a contract longer than three years. Clearly, the door is open for the Pirates to respect a slugger who isn't being respected by his current team here.

Pittsburgh was willing to give Schwarber a deal for four years with an AAV of $31M. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN projected Alonso to land a contract for four years worth $110M. If that is what it would take to secure Alonso, the Pirates should absolutely go all in. That would be $15M cheaper than what they offered Schwarber.

If the Mets are not going to go longer than three years, then the Pirates should one up them. The Pirates had a higher AAV than the Phillies in their Schwarber offer, but Philadelphia gave him another year with more guaranteed money. Clearly, Schwarber wanted to go back to his comfort zone in Philly. Are we sure Alonso feels the same way, as the Mets nickel-and-dime him and he explores a connection with the Red Sox and Orioles?

Pirates must pivot from Kyle Schwarber to Pete Alonso after latest Mets rumor.

Just like Schwarber, Alonso would likely serve as the designated hitter in Pittsburgh. His defense at first base is not great, and Spencer Horwitz has a solid glove there. He may not want to DH, so the Pirates could get behind him using him at first base to persuade him to sign there; moving Horwitz to either second base or DH would work.

Alonso would lead the Pirates in nearly every offensive category. He is a must-target player, given the financial room they reportedly have this offseason. They can easily have an advantage over the Mets here by offering him a contract longer than three years. He is only 31 years old and is one of the best hitters in baseball. If the front office wants to prove to the fanbase that they are trying, even more than lingering around the Schwarber sweepstakes, then this is how they do it.