It’s been quite difficult to judge the market surrounding New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso this winter. Alonso was the best first baseman available by a long shot, but he was also reportedly demanding a lot more money than all the others.

As a result, just about every other first baseman has come off the board and Alonso remains a free agent with nearly zero leverage.

Still, he’s a very talented player and he’s going to make whichever team signs him very happy next year.

Keegan Matheson of MLB.com recently to land Alonso, but he also acknowledged the presence of the Toronto Blue Jays in the sweepstakes.

“Pete Alonso’s market — and some of the reporting around it — has been … unique,” Matheson wrote. “Yes, the Blue Jays like Alonso, but this continues to feel like a situation where Alonso is waiting for the Mets. Like they’ve done many times in past pursuits, the Blue Jays can position themselves well as the next-best option here, which may be enough in the end, but my eyes are still on the Mets.”

While the Mets are the favorites for good reason, the Blue Jays are a real threat to steal him.

Toronto needs to add talent around Vladimir Guerrero Jr., or it needs to trade the superstar first baseman away. After signing Anthony Santander, it seems like the Blue Jays will look to compete in 2025 with Guerrero, Santander, and others.

Adding Alonso to this lineup on a three- or four-year deal would be quite an upgrade for the Blue Jays. If any team has the money to steal the slugger from the Mets, it’s the Blue Jays.