Like an annual rite of passage, the New York Mets seem to have an offseason more eventful than a Game of Thrones season finale every year. This winter has been no different, as they let Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz walk, traded Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, and signed Devin Williams, Bo Bichette, and Jorge Polanco. Steve Cohen and David Stearns definitely know how to keep the Mets trending on social media.
We could analyze all the comings and goings of the Metropolitans, but let’s just focus on two names for this exercise: Pete Alonso and Bo Bichette. The Mets let their all-time leader in home runs sign with the Baltimore Orioles, and they snatched a coveted free agent from the jaws of their rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. If we focus on this singular swap of infielders, are the Mets better with Bo Bichette than Pete Alonso?
Bo Bichette and Pete Alonso: Are the Mets Better Now, or Then?
At the Dish
Pete Alonso has more homers than any player in New York Mets history. In fact, since entering the majors in 2019, he is third among all players. The Polar Bear is pretty much a lock for 35+ home runs, 100+ RBI, and a .500+ slugging percentage. Obviously, Bo Bichette is not going to provide that sort of power production. His career highs of 29 dingers and 102 RBI came in 2021. Alonso also tends to see a lot more free passes, usually around 65 walks a season. With that power often comes some swing and miss, so the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year also had four seasons of 150+ Ks in Queens.
Bichette gives New York less power but much more in terms of average and hits. Dante’s son twice led the AL in hits and four times had 180+ in a season. Conversely, the now departed Mets first baseman has never had more than 170 knocks in a year. All those hits have resulted in a .294 career batting average for Bichette, with Alonso holding a .253 career mark. Both players have a knack for doubles: Alonso led the NL with 41 in 2025, and Bichette has had 30+ two baggers four times. Neither player is very speedy, so Rickey Henderson’s stolen base numbers look safe. However, Pete tends to score more runs than Bo, but health plays a big factor there and will be discussed in a bit.
Father & son moment.
Bo and Dante Bichette pose for a photo pic.twitter.com/m59893MonR
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) January 21, 2026
Around the Diamond
As a shortstop in Toronto, Bichette played the tougher defensive position, but his defensive WAR average of .5 isn’t overly hot. However, he will be moving to third base for the Mets. Will his defensive metrics improve by moving to a spot generally regarded as less difficult than short? Pete’s defensive WAR average of -6.3 is far worse than Bo’s average. Yet, Alonso’s biggest attribute in the field is picking errant throws around the diamond; his scoop numbers are pretty elite.
So, the Mets are moving a veteran shortstop to the hot corner for the first time in his career, and someone else, maybe Mark Vientos or Brett Baty, will be a newcomer to first base. Alonso wasn’t Keith Hernandez defensively, but will two guys playing new positions in the New York infield improve the team’s defense?
Intangibles
Pete Alonso and Bo Bichette both have that clutch gene and aren’t scared of the moment. They both proved it in the last two postseasons: in the 2024 NLDS and 2025 World Series, respectively. The Polar Bear was a fan favorite and clubhouse leader in Flushing. That leaves a huge void in the Mets clubhouse. Will Bichette be able to fill those shoes?
Another huge variable is health. Alonso has never played fewer than 150+ games in a full season; that includes playing in all 162 the last two campaigns. Bichette, on the other hand, has missed significant time the last three years. Bo’s career WAR average of 4.5 is higher than Pete’s 3.7, but being on the field has been a challenge for the second-generation player. How will that work out for the Mets?
The Hypothesis
Pete Alonso and Bo Bichette are very solid Major Leaguers. They both reside in MLB Network‘s most recent top 50. Pete gives you more pop, and Bo gives you more knock. Crucial factors of defense and health will probably be much more important than any offensive metric in this side-by-side comparison. With that said, the New York Mets may indeed have a better record in 2026 than last season. But … replacing Pete Alonso with Bo Bichette is going to be a lot more difficult than some may think.
Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images