Anthony Santander to replace Pete Alonso? Mets sportscaster weighs pros and cons of acquiring All-Star slugger

Anthony Santander and Pete Alonso are among the best sluggers still available in the free-agent market. While the New York Mets are working to bring Alonso back, they are also considering Santander as a potential replacement in their lineup.

Mets sportscaster Evan Roberts believes Santander has the credentials to match Alonso’s offensive production. However, Roberts notes that signing Santander would require the team to adjust both infield and outfield positions, potentially compromising their defensive performance.

On his "Rico Brogna" podcast Sunday, Roberts discussed the possibility of the Mets signing Santander as a replacement for Alonso. (10:52 - 12:14 mark)

"My question about Anthony Santander was, '(Does) he replace the power of Pete Alonso?' Well, he does. And maybe, that's what you're really trying to do here if Pete's not back. You don't necessarily have to replace him at the position. You have to find a way to produce the 30-plus home runs he hit last year," he said.

"If you're not getting that production out of first base, but maybe you're getting it out of left field, because Brandon Nimmo is now being moved to center field, which I do not love for defensive purposes. While you're not replacing Pete's bat at first base, you're replacing his bat in the lineup. And, obviously, the addition of Juan Soto already does replace the bat of Pete Alonso," he added.

Alonso, considered the top first baseman in the free-agent market this offseason, has generated surprisingly little interest from other teams. While his 2024 campaign wasn’t stellar, Alonso still hit 34 home runs during the regular season and added four more in the playoffs.

Even Roberts feels replacing Pete Alonso with Anthony Santander will require defensive flexibility

Pete Alonso hit four home runs for the Mets in the postseason last year (Image Source: Imagn)

Anthony Santander, a switch-hitting slugger, is not known for his defensive prowess, meaning the Mets would need to designate a new first baseman if he replaces Alonso’s production in the lineup

Evan Roberts feels this will create an awkward situation for the Mets from a defensive perspective.

"The issue I have with Santander is how does that fit? You bring him in. You DH him a lot. He plays some left field. Nimmo is playing center field. Are you moving anyone to first base?" he asked.

"Is Brandon Nimmo getting a first baseman's glove? Is Juan Soto getting a first baseman's glove?"

Santander is coming off the best season of his eight-year major league career. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2024, finishing with 44 home runs, 102 RBIs and an OPS+ of 134.