When Juan Soto was spotted practicing grounders recently, it didn’t take long for the rumor mill to ignite. So, could Soto be preparing for a position change to first base for the Mets? Well, at first glance, it sounds far-fetched.
While Soto is a new name for first-base discussions, the visuals have fans and insiders buzzing, especially with the uncertain future of Pete Alonso. With Alonso’s opt-out decision approaching and extension talks reportedly stalled, speculations are mounting that the Mets are quietly building a contingency plan. So, could Soto’s infield scenes be the earliest sign of seismic change?
While nothing is concrete yet, the fans seem to have already pressed the panic button. “Juan Soto takes grounders at first base,” SNY Mets wrote, sharing footage of Soto taking grounders. Fans can’t quite figure out why Soto is taking grounders when Pete Alonso is firing on all cylinders this year from first base?
Juan Soto takes grounders at first base pic.twitter.com/o7jB0E7hTn
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 5, 2025
Alonso, now 30, re-signed with the Mets this year on a deal that runs through 2026, though he’s got an opt-out after the 2025 season. Now, the way he’s playing so far this year, the opt-out seems more and more likely. For the unversed, Alonso is off to the best start of his career. He’s leading the NL in doubles, ranks top five in OPS at .933, and is slashing .290 with 20 homers and 73 RBIs.
With numbers like that, he’s bound to chase a bigger payday once he hits the market, which could leave the Mets scrambling. What’s more, there’s been no buzz about the team even considering a qualifying offer. So, now you know why the infield flair of Soto is starting to steal the spotlight.
Since the video of Soto practicing grounders broke out, fans could not keep calm on social media. But hey, Soto’s practice session might be due to his own poor defense on the field, who knows? Nothing is concrete yet.
Fans are left wondering about the Mets’ lineup
“1 billion for a 1st baseman,” wrote a fan. When was the last time a first baseman was paid a cool $765 million paycheck? Yes, not a billion, but Soto 765M is a mind-boggling number in itself and Soto is the first from MLB to touch that mark.
1 billion for a 1st baseman
— proud ranger fan (@RangerApologist) July 5, 2025
Currently, the demand for traditional first basemen isn’t what it used to be. With changes in offensive strategies and defensive alignments, teams are putting more emphasis on athleticism and versatility, especially around the rest of the infield. So, to use a player who holds a $765M contract at first base doesn’t quite add up.
“Can we just extend Pete instead?” one user shared. Aptly put! To put all the speculations to rest, why not extend Alonso’s contract instead? Currently, he is on a $54 million 2-year deal. With those figures, he is surely expecting a deal worth a notch higher now. Now the question is: Would the Mets meet that demand? Especially when the age is on Alonso’s side.
“People read too much into this. Certain days you see players messing around at other positions, doesn’t mean they are planning on moving them. Normally means they said, ‘Can I get some grounders?’” another fan chimed in. Well, this can be true. According to Baseball Savant, Soto ranks poorly in metrics like Outs Above Average (-10), so he might be focusing more on fielding practice for his own betterment and it might have no connection with Alonso’s contract at all.
“He’s better than Pete at throwing by default,” read another comment. Remember Alonso’s throw against the Nationals that caused a hamstring injury to Kodai Senga? It was a high throw that caused Senga to jump over the plate. That was a poor throw by Alonso. But hey, he is a quality first baseman.
“Soto at first, Tucker in right?” a fan wondered. Well, Kyle Tucker will hit free agency after this season, and he is expected to fetch around $500 million. Surprisingly, the Mets are rumored to be pursuing Tucker. If it materializes, then Tucker will take the right field, which may push Soto to the first. But this lineup will be possible only if Alonso opts out. Till then, it’s the same as usual for the Mets.
Soto’s practice grounders could be for his own fielding prowess or it might be the Mets’ contingency plan. But for the time being, it is highly speculative.
The post Mets Fans Panic over Pete Alonso’s Future After Juan Soto’s First Base Tease appeared first on EssentiallySports.
