MLB insiders address theory about Mets' Pete Alonso, Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

On Wednesday, former New York Mets general manager and current MLB analyst Steve Phillips predicted on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio (h/t Jimmy Hascup of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) that Pete Alonso wouldn’t opt out after the first year of his new two-year, $54 million deal. Thus, the Mets will unlikely sign Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in free agency this fall.

Multiple reporters and insiders have since poured cold water over Phillips' theory. 

"If [Mets owner Steve Cohen] does want Guerrero to team up with [All-Star outfielder Juan Soto] for the next 12 to 15 years, the Mets will have an opening to do it," The Athletic's Jim Bowden explained on Wednesday. "Alonso has an opt-out in his contract after this year, but even if he declines to exercise it, the Mets could DH him for 2026 and have Alonso hit behind Francisco Lindor, Soto and Guerrero, giving them a fearsome foursome in the lineup for one year." 

While Cohen acknowledged this week, months after he signed Soto to a 15-year, $765M contract that could reportedly exceed $800M, that free agency is "more expensive than you can imagine," Cohen was sure to add he has "the ability to spend" to "finance" what he hopes will be a championship squad. On Wednesday, New York Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch of MLB.com said he doesn't "sense the Yankees would be all that enthusiastic about engaging in another bidding war" with Cohen regarding Guerrero's services after the Bronx Bombers lost Soto to the Mets this offseason. 

Meanwhile, national MLB reporter Mark Feinsand of the league's website noted that Guerrero is viewed as a "generational talent." 

"Vladdy is that type of hitter," Feinsand added, "and just as we saw with Soto this winter, stud free agents at the age of 26 don’t come around very often. If the Mets want him, I find it hard to believe that they will be outbid." 

Of course, plenty can happen from spring training through the July 31 trade deadline and into October, impacting how Cohen and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns approach next offseason. With that said, ESPN's Buster Olney reported earlier this week that the Mets have already "talked internally" about acquiring Guerrero. 

There's no reason to believe that Alonso's status after the World Series will impact whether the Mets participate in the Guerrero sweepstakes in November.