DALLAS — Is a Pete Alonso deal on deck?
The Mets have added significant clout to their lineup with Juan Soto’s addition on a record contract, clearing the docket for team officials to start filling other holes.
At or near the top of that list is a decision about first base.
“We would love to bring Pete back, and Pete has been a great Met,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday at the Winter Meetings. “He had some enormous hits for us, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Stearns would not comment on Soto — the outfielder’s record deal for $765 million over 15 years hasn’t yet become official — but said he’s not concerned about financial restrictions in trying to re-sign Alonso.
Left unsaid is to what lengths the Mets are willing to go for Alonso, who had an off year by his standards, posting a .240/.329.459 slash line with 34 homers and 88 RBIs last season.
The 34 homers were a career low for Alonso in a full season.
“I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that there’s going to be resources when we need them,” Stearns said. “There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think they are there to improve the team and we’re going to continue to pursue a wide variety of areas to continue to improve our team.”
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Mark Vientos would be a candidate to shift from third to first if Alonso isn’t re-signed, but Stearns said it’s too early to consider that possibility.
“We have got a long way before we have got to make the decision as to who our starting first baseman is going to be,” Stearns said. “I am confident that by opening day we will have a starting first baseman.”
Stearns acknowledged the possibility the Mets will sign another starting pitcher but indicated the additions of Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes to the rotation have removed the sense of urgency.
“I think we have room for [another starter], but I don’t think it’s a necessity,” Stearns said. “We’re going to continue to evaluate the market where we see opportunity to bring in players that are going to make us better, we’re certainly going to pursue that.”
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The high end of the starting pitching market includes Corbin Burnes and Max Fried.
The Mets could also seek a reunion with Sean Manaea following his breakout season for the club.
The Post’s Joel Sherman reported the Mets are interested in Jonathan Loaisiga, who is coming off elbow surgery that limited him to three appearances with the Yankees last season.
Montas, Holmes, Kodai Senga and David Peterson are the givens for the Mets starting rotation and others in the mix include Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill and Jose Butto (who pitched mostly as a reliever last season).
