One reason Mets may not view Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as eventual Pete Alonso replacement

Even though the start of the 2025 MLB regular season is still roughly one month away, some New York Mets fans are wondering if owner Steve Cohen and team president of baseball operations David Stearns may already view Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays as an eventual replacement for first baseman Pete Alonso.

As Manny Gomez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com explained in a piece published Friday, individuals within the Mets may instead hope that prospect Ryan Clifford can eventually fill the role currently held by Alonso. 

"I really like what I’ve seen from him from a first-base standpoint," Mets Double-A manager Reid Brignac recently said about how Clifford profiles. "He’s moving his feet really well. His throwing accuracy has improved. He’s got really good hands." 

While Clifford has yet to show he can consistently hit Triple-A pitching, let alone start at the highest level, it's worth noting that the big-league Mets may not need his services before 2027. Alonso will enter Opening Day on a two-year deal that has an opt-out after the upcoming season, and some have noted he could serve as a designated hitter in a New York lineup that also features Guerrero assuming the latter reaches free agency after the 2025 World Series concludes. 

However, Mets insider Tim Britton of The Athletic is among those who have pointed out since last offseason that Stearns didn't prioritize first base while serving as an executive with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2015 up until he shifted to an advisory role with that organization in the fall of 2022. Additionally, Cohen hinted earlier this month he feels the Mets "can’t have too many long-term contracts because" they would lose their "roster flexibility." 

Of course, plenty will happen over the next seven months or so that will impact the Mets' plans for 2026 and beyond. Clifford could become part of a trade package, or Cohen could decide to go all-in on signing Guerrero if the Amazins endure a down season after they completed a trip to the National League Championship Series this past fall. 

With all of that said, Mets fans may want to prepare themselves for a scenario that involves Cohen not being the highest bidder for Guerrero next offseason.