Stearns: Mets would 'love' to bring Alonso back

The New York Mets reportedly inked outfielder Juan Soto to the richest contract in sports history Sunday, and they aren't finished adding to their ballclub.

"We'd love to bring Pete (Alonso) back," Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday at the winter meetings, according to Newsday's Tim Healey.

Alonso is the top first baseman available in free agency after hitting 226 home runs with the Mets over the past six seasons. He doesn't appear to be out of New York's budget despite the team's reported $765-million commitment to Soto.

"I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that there's going to be resources when we need them," Stearns said, according to SNY.

"There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think they are there to improve the team, and we're going to continue to pursue a wide variety of areas to continue to improve our team."

Stearns noted that the Mets view Mark Vientos as their starting third baseman. Vientos was an internal option to shift to first base if the club couldn't keep Alonso.

"Mark did a tremendous job for us at third, and we're very comfortable with him there and certainly as of now we see him as our third baseman," Stearns said.

The 30-year-old Alonso is coming off a career-worst season, but he still posted a .788 OPS (123 OPS+) with 34 homers and 88 RBIs, aiding in the Mets' run to the NLCS.

The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion has accrued the fourth-most fWAR and played in more games than any first baseman since debuting in 2019.