Sal Licata had initially been advocating for the Mets to sign Pete Alonso and keep the homegrown slugger in Queens, but after reports of the team pivoting to their Plan B, Sal believes that David Stearns and company are playing chess while he was playing checkers.
“They are thinking bigger,” Sal said.
What is “bigger?” For Sal, it means going hard after Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who would be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season if he doesn’t agree to an extension with the Blue Jays before spring training.
It would take a lot of get Guerrero to Queens, whether it be the Blue Jays willingly trading him midseason or outbidding the motivated and wealthy Jays in free agency, but Sal believes that is the mission, and it clearly would be better than bringing Alonso back.
“Don’t settle just because he’s your guy,” Sal said. “Pete is a prolific power hitter. He’s also aging and coming off of two bad years, and there’s something missing from Pete that prevents him from being that next level star. You’re telling me Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wouldn’t be better? Absolutely he would.
“Why would you take yourself out of Vlad?”
Sal believes a trade for Vlad is happening, as the Blue Jays could fall out of the race by summertime, and decide to get back a load of assets instead of risking losing him for nothing in free agency.
"I do think it's happening," Sal said.