Part 2/5:
Just as the Mets secured Soto, several rival teams in need of a first baseman have turned to other options. For instance, the Houston Astros added Christian Walker to their roster, while the New York Yankees opted for Paul Goldschmidt. The Arizona Diamondbacks made a trade for Josh Naylor, and the Cleveland Guardians settled on Carlos Santana. Most notably, the Washington Nationals traded for Nathaniel Lowe, further solidifying the diminished pool of contenders vying for Alonso's talent.
It has become increasingly apparent that the market for first basemen is drying up, leading to speculation and predictions that Alonso’s return to the Mets is not merely a possibility—it is becoming an inevitability.