The first was re-signing reliever Ryne Stanek for one year, $4.5 million. The second was signing infielder Nick Madrigal for $1.35 million, which probably marked an end to the Jose Iglesias era in Queens. These moves “signaled” that the Mets “were leaving room for the possibility of a pivot back to Alonso,” Martino wrote.

It is conceivable that Baty and Acuña alone could replace Alonso's home runs, which is to say nothing of what they stand to gain from their new center fielder. That is Jose Siri, who hit as many homers on his own last season (18) as the Mets got from all their center fielders.