"Not going to trade Pete Alonso" - MLB analyst discusses Mets' stance, hints at starting pitcher move on Kodai Senga's return

The MLB Trade Deadline grows ever closer, and each passing day sees speculation about the futures of some of baseball's biggest stars. One player who has been the subject of quite some discussion is the New York Mets' Pete Alonso.

With Alonso set to enter free agency come the end of the season, the Mets risk losing one of their most important players for free. The notion that they may be looking to cash in at the trade deadline seems to be a logical one, but insider Ken Rosenthal does not believe Alonso will be moved.

In a pregame show leading up to the Home Run Derby, Rosenthal went through the likely trade plans for the Mets.

"You're David Stearns, you're in your first year as president of baseball operations, and you're pretty mindful that you can't tear this team up and even make a trade like you did in Milwaukee with Josh Hader, in the middle of a pennant race. So they are not going to trade Pete Alonso," he said on MLB on FOX.

The Mets found themselves in a bit of a dumpster fire to start off the season. With a 22-23 record, the consensus was that New York would be sellers come July. The Astros and the Mariners were among the teams with an interest in Alonso, who leads the side with 19 home runs this campaign, along with 51 RBIs and a .239 batting average.

New York Mets v Washington Nationals - Source: Getty

But with the team currently occupying the third National League wildcard spot with a 49-46 record, the dynamics have changed.

New York Mets could look at offloading a starting pitcher, according to Ken Rosenthal

According to Rosenthal, the focus for the Mets could be improving the bullpen. He also stated that starter José Quintana may be moved on once the injured Kodai Senga returns to shake up the misfiring pitching unit.

"They do have a depth of starting pitching. They're going to want to go to a six-man rotation once Kodai Senga is healthy. Do you trade a guy when you want to go with six? Do you trade a Luis Severino, who has pitched really well but whose strikeout rate is down? Or maybe a Jose Quintana.

"They need to do something because they have to fortify their bullpen. A starting pitcher in this market is going to command quite a return."

A bullpen ERA of 4.20 certainly leaves room for improvement and gives the New Yorkers something to focus on as the MLB trade deadline approaches.