As if signing to a record contract wasnt enough, the Mets could be exploring another big-ticket addition for the corner infield. Ari Alexander of KPRC ( ) reports that the Mets are among the teams who have interest in , while president of baseball operations David Stearns told and other reporters that the Mets would love to bring [ back . While referring to Alonsos market but perhaps speaking broadly about the Mets payroll situation as a whole, Stearns said I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that theres going to be resources when we need them. There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think that theyre there to improve the team, and were going to continue to pursue a wide variety of areas to continue to improve our team . This means that neither Alonso, Bregman, or perhaps a top-tier pitcher can be ruled out during what has already been an aggre sive offseason in Queens. The Mets had so much coming off Mark Grace Jersey the books this winter that even with Sotos mega-deal now factored in, New Yorks luxury tax number is still a relatively modest $251.8MM (as per s estimate). While this is over the $241MM tax threshold, simply exceeding the tax line is nothing to Mets owner Steve Cohen, whose team had an estimated $358.1MM tax number in 2024. breakout season makes him a lock for one corner infield slot, giving New York some flexibility in deciding what to do with the other side of the diamond. Vientos could just remain at the hot corner and the Mets could run it back entirely by re-signing a popular homegrown slugger Alonso. Or, the Mets could shake things up by moving Vientos to first base, clearing room for Bregman as the new starting third baseman. Both Bregman and Alonso rejected qualifying offers, though in re-signing Alonso, the Mets wouldnt have to give up any compensation since he is their own free agent. Signing Soto cost the Mets $1MM in international draft pool money and their second- and fifth-highest picks in the 2025 draft, so signing another QO-rejecting free agent would cost another $1MM of bonus pool funds plus two more picks this time New Yorks third- and sixth-highest selections. It isnt entirely out of the question that the Mets could burn such a big chunk of a draft year in search of premium win-now talent, though the clubs preference is likely to avoid another free agent tied to compensation. Moving onto pitching targets, writes that the Mets are one of the teams linked to s market. Loaisiga was known to have from 14 teams, including both New York clubs. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is very familiar with Loaisiga from their shared time together in the Bronx when Mendoza was the Yankees bench coach. Loaisiga pitched just four innings in the 2024 season before his year was cut short by a UCL-related surgery (not a Tommy John procedure). Multiple injuries have limited Loaisiga to 219 2/3 innings since his MLB debut in 2018, but the right-hander has been an intriguing bullpen weapon when hes been healthy, delivering a 3.28 ERA over 181 1/3 frames as a reliever. The buy-low potential is strong, so it isnt surprising that Loaisiga is drawing such widespread attention from teams in need of bullpen help. Stearns also provided a couple of injury updates during his media se sion (hat tip to and ). The Mets believe will be ready for Opening Day in the aftermath of to fix a spinal fluid leak. As dangerous as that procedure sounds, it carried a relatively brief recovery timeline of 4-5 months, and the Mets are encouraged enough by Blackburns rehab to now project him on the shorter end of that timeframe. Blackburn could be another part of New Yorks bullpen picture, but Stearns said the right-hander is still being viewed as a starting pitching option. Blackburn would currently line up as the fifth starter behind , , , and , though both his health status throughout Spring Training and the Mets further offseason moves could impact that rotation job. Acquired from the As at last years trade deadline, Blackburn was limited to five starts and 24 1/3 innings (posting a 5.18 ERA) due to both his back problem and a hand bruise. It was almost exactly a year ago that top prospect suffered a torn ACL during winter ball action, and Stearns said that Mauricio is now getting back to baseball-related activities. A former regular of the top-100 prospect rankings, Mauricio made his MLB debut in the form of 26 games and 108 PA for the Mets in 2023, but his injury dealt a big setback to his chances of being a bigger part of the infield mix last season. Kevin Alcantara Jersey