The Mets and Pete Alonso cannot come to terms on a standard contract, so maybe it is time for them to do something creative that could be a win-win.

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.

The Blue Jays "appear to be the most serious about signing" veteran right-hander Max Scherzer, according to MLB.com. Scherzer, 40, was limited to just nine starts last season because of physical issues.