Could underperforming Mets trade Pete Alonso this summer?

The underperforming New York Mets could be sellers ahead of the trade deadline and theoretically could listen to offers regarding any asset, including slugger Pete Alonso. 

"I would think the only way this becomes a possibility is if any extension talks between Alonso and the Mets camp have convinced the organization that not even (Mets owner Steve Cohen) would bridge that gap," MLB insider Joel Sherman explained in his latest New York Post piece. "Is it possible that the Mets see (Alonso) in the recent high-end first-base bucket of five to six years at $26M-$27M of Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman that takes them just beyond their mid-30s while the Alonso camp sees him more in the New York-proven power titan class of Aaron Judge (nine years at $360M) that spans his whole 30s?"

The Mets began Wednesday at 34-39 and trailing the first-place Atlanta Braves by a seemingly insurmountable 13 games in the National League East standings. As for Alonso, he isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2024 season and has repeatedly insisted he loves playing for the Mets and in New York. There's also no indication he's close to signing an extension with the club early into the summer, so general manager Billy Eppler could request that Cohen at least consider a so-called "Godfather offer" (one Cohen can't refuse) for the 28-year-old.

Of course, the first player that comes to mind as it pertains to such a blockbuster deal is Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar and presumed 2023 American League Most Valuable Player Shohei Ohtani. Angels general manager Perry Minasian made it known Tuesday it's unlikely he'll trade Ohtani even though the generational talent remains on track to reach free agency following the ongoing campaign, but Jim Bowden of The Athletic mentioned Wednesday that Minasian's stance could change if Los Angeles collapses by the final weekend of July. 

Ohtani continues to be linked in stories with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it's believed Cohen will make a massive push for the Japanese phenom. Landing Ohtani now and signing him before he hits the open market could be worth losing Alonso to any team, the Mets included. 

It's worth noting that Sherman suggested the Mets trading Alonso is unlikely, in part because Cohen may view the two-time All-Star selection "as an eventual retired number." The fact the topic even arose shows how far baseball's most expensive club has fallen before the halfway point of what was once a promising season.