The Mets could have helped clear some space for Pete Alonso to leave. They went in another direction.

With the New York Mets’ acquisition of Sean Manaea David Stearns and company are now firmly in the driver’s seat for another reunion with one of their stars. Going into the offseason, there were a plethora of teams with needs at first base, where Mets’ fan favorite Pete Alonso figured to be the top option.

Teams such as the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Washington Nationals, and Seattle Mariners all figured to be players in the first base market. Of course, the Mets also entered with a polar bear-sized hole at the position, as well.

Then over the weekend, the game of musical chairs began. Christian Walker signed with Houston. The Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt. Cleveland traded Josh Naylor to Arizona and reunited with Carlos Santana for his third stint with the club. Washington traded for Nathaniel Lowe who was expendable after Texas acquired Jake Burger.

The music is about to stop and there are few chairs left for Alonso. Only Seattle remains a somewhat viable alternative to a return to Flushing, but there are some obstacles in the way.

By re-signing Sean Manaea David Stearns closed a pathway for Seattle to sign Pete Alonso

The Mariners desperately need to upgrade their offense, particularly in the infield. They also are looking to keep their payroll stable, meaning a trade from their deep and talented starting rotation is a must to free up the funds to sign an impact bat.

That has led them to dangle Luis Castillo on the market, for whom the Mets were considered a prime suitor. However, by re-signing Sean Manaea, the Mets are officially out of the Castillo sweepstakes. Seattle can’t enter a big money commitment with Alonso until they shed the nearly $25 million per season they owe Castillo.

Even if they are able to accomplish that, Alonso is still an odd fit in the Pacific Northwest. The Mariners certainly need an offensive boost, however, Luke Raley is currently one of their better offensive players and is the projected starter at first base.

They could flip Raley to the outfield, however, that’s where the strength of their team already lies with Victor Robles, Julio Rodriguez, and bounce-back candidate Randy Arozarena patrolling out there. Sending Raley to the outfield to accommodate Alonso would require a follow-up move, likely dealing Arozarena whose value is at a low point after a down year in 2024.

Instead, Seattle desperately needs upgrades at second and third base. Their opening-day second baseman is projected to be Ryan Bliss, 25, who failed to impress in his big league debut last season. Over 71 plate appearances, he ran a 31.0% strikeout rate while posting a frosty .687 OPS.

Manning the hot corner is Dylan Moore, a 32-year-old career utility man who posted a .687 OPS as well over 441 trips to the plate. With dire needs at two positions Alonso doesn’t play, it’s questionable as to whether or not Seattle would be in on him even if they could clear Castillo’s salary off the books.

What is clear is the game of musical chairs is almost over, and when it ends the Mets will be the last seat left for Alonso. With each passing day, the level of commitment in both dollars and years required to bring him back into the fold drops.

For the Mets, this scenario has played out perfectly, and it certainly seems like an inevitability that Pete’s prodigious power protecting on-base wizard Juan Soto in the Mets lineup will happen. The only question left is when.