Free agency is more unpredictable than a short playoff series, an honest-to-goodness crapshoot if there ever was one. Did anyone expect the New York City-born, Met-loving, Keith Hernandez-idolizing Alex Rodriguez would be fitting himself for cowboy boots deep in the heart of Texas?

With their competition for first base satisfying their needs through signings and trades this offseason, the Mets remain the clearest team with a hole. The likely answer, then is that, yes, the Mets want Alonso — at their price, and they’re willing to wait around to make it happen.

The New York Mets are the favorites to re-sign Pete Alonso, but could the slugger shock the baseball world and actually sign with the Seattle Mariners?