"Look at what Aaron Judge did for Juan Soto" - Reds HOFer claims Pete Alonso will complement $765,000,000 superstar like Yankees captain did at Bronx

Free agent first baseman Pete Alonso should be high on the New York Mets’ radar, according to Cincinnati Reds great Sean Casey.

During Friday's episode of "The Mayor’s Office," Casey argued that Alonso is one of the league’s premier power hitters despite having a relatively down year in 2024.

Casey, who was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2012, affirmed that the Mets need Alonso’s bat to balance the lefty-heavy top of the lineup. Particularly, Casey pointed out that Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto are both left-handed hitters.

The point focused on how the New York Yankees deployed Aaron Judge and Soto to balance the righty-lefty dynamic in their lineup. With Soto signing a massive $765 million deal this winter, bringing Alonso’s bat is crucial.

“Look at what Judge did for Soto," Casey said. "It’s the same deal here. Alonso and Soto, sitting there, a power guy with a guy that gets on base. You’re now seeing more fastballs if you’re Alonso. Alonso becomes a better player.”

The analysis underscores the need for the Mets to bring Alonso back. While some analysts have pointed to him aging and potentially declining, Casey believes that the Mets must get Alonso’s bat to provide the Mets lineup much-needed balance.

Casey predicts Pete Alonso’s next contract

Another point that emerged during the conversation was Pete Alonso’s next contract. Casey and co-host Rich Ciancimino agreed that he should get a deal in the three to four-year range.

They pointed to the deal Cody Bellinger got from the Chicago Cubs. Bellinger signed a three-year $80 million deal. Casey highlighted how Bellinger’s athletic ability, power and gold-glove defense landed him a lucrative deal.

While Alonso does not boast a Gold Glove at first base, he is a durable player. Moreover, Alonso, along with Judge, has been one of the best power hitters in the game over the last couple of seasons.

Casey and Ciacimino agree that Alonso is worth a deal similar to Bellinger’s; however, it remains to be seen where he chooses to sign. According to Casey, it’s likely Alonso re-signs with New York as the familiarity with the team could be too much to pass up.

Casey added that if offers from other teams resemble what the Mets are offering, re-signing would be a no-brainer for Alonso. With about six weeks before the opening of camps, Alonso would likely be signing sooner rather than later.