The New York Mets are reportedly exploring a trade for Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, a move that could reshape both teams’ rosters ahead of the 2025 MLB season. This development comes as the Mets face uncertainty regarding the future of their star slugger, Pete Alonso.
Mountcastle, 27, has been a consistent contributor for the Orioles, showcasing both offensive prowess and defensive reliability. In the 2024 season, he posted a .271 batting average, with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs over 125 games. Defensively, he recorded eight Defensive Runs Saved and two Outs Above Average, underscoring his value at first base citeturn0search7.
The Mets’ interest in Mountcastle is seen as a strategic move to bolster their lineup, especially if Alonso departs in free agency. Mountcastle’s versatility, including experience in left field, offers the Mets flexibility in their roster construction citeturn0search6.
Financially, Mountcastle is an attractive option. He is under team control for two more years with a projected arbitration salary of $6.7 million for 2025, making him a cost-effective solution for the Mets’ infield needs citeturn0search6.
For the Orioles, trading Mountcastle could signal a shift in their roster strategy. With Anthony Santander entering free agency and the team seeking to maintain offensive production, the Orioles have been linked to potential pursuits of other power hitters, including Mets’ own Pete Alonso citeturn0search2.
This potential trade underscores the dynamic nature of MLB’s offseason, where teams continuously evaluate and adjust their rosters to align with competitive goals. As discussions progress, both the Mets and Orioles aim to position themselves favorably for the upcoming season.