More than any time in the history of modern media, it’s vital to consider your source.

So when I saw The Athletic published its contract predictions for the top 50 free agents available this MLB hot stove season, I immediately jumped to the byline to see who had worked on the piece.

Ken Rosenthal? Andy McCullough? Evan Drellich?

Nope.

Jim Bowden.

…OK, so we’re taking this whole thing with a grain of salt.

For those unfamiliar, here’s Bowden’s bio on his author page on The Athletic’s website:

“Jim Bowden, a national writer for The Athletic MLB, was formerly the Sr. VP and general manager for the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals for a combined 16 years, including being named the 1999 MLB Executive of the Year by Baseball America. He is the lead MLB Analyst and Insider for CBS Sports-HQ and a regular talk-show host on SiriusXM for the MLB Network and Fantasy channels. Follow him on twitter: @JimBowdenGM.”

Notice a key title missing from Bowden’s bio:

Reporter.

Bowden is known throughout the industry as someone who plays a little fast-and-loose when it comes to rumors and hearsay. I’m not telling you to discount everything he says at all times, but I am asking you to take everything he says with a grain of salt.

With that said, this blurb from his column on Monday perked my ears:

"3. Pete Alonso, 1B (player option)
Age: 31
Bats: R
Throws: R
2025 bWAR: 3.4
2025 team: New York Mets
Agent: Boras Corp.

"Alonso became the Mets’ all-time home run leader this year (he’s now at 264) and he put together a nice rebound season after a down 2024, hitting 38 bombs and leading the National League with 41 doubles. He is beloved in Queens, and the feeling is mutual. The Mets were not willing to give him a long-term contract last offseason, and if they don’t change their tune this time around, they’ll probably lose him. Alonso has belted 37 or more homers in each of the last five seasons and although he’s a below-average defender at first base, he works at it and he’s durable, having played all 162 games in each of the past two seasons. Alonso has a player option worth $24 million he’s expected to decline. He made $30 million in 2025.

"Salary comps: Freddie Freeman 6-years, $162 million; Matt Olson 8-years, $168 million; Paul Goldschmidt 5-years, $130 million
Best team fits: Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Mariners, Rangers
Contract prediction: 6-years, $182 million"

In the wake of trading Rafael Devers, a move I seemingly change my mind on by the hour, the Red Sox desperately need more power in their lineup. Alonso not only provides that, but also gives you your option at first base moving forward.

I know there are some still holding out hope for a full Triston Casas return, thinking there’s still a chance he can harness what we saw from him in 2023. I, personally, believe that ship has sailed. But even if I’m wrong and Casas does bounce back after returning from injury, both he and Alonso would make fine designated hitters moving forward.

Would Craig Breslow be comfortable adding a big guy at that number for those years, or would they be looking to sign another short term deal akin to the one Alex Bregman just opted out of? Would Alonso be interested in a huge chunk of short-term money to prove his worth for a longer term deal?

Given how productive he’s been, I don’t think Alonso will need the “prove it” deal this offseason. If Boston won’t pony up, teams like the Mets, Mariners or Rangers will.

Something worth mentioning on the way out here - I’ve heard some callers into WEEI say their dream offseason would be adding Alonso, Kyle Schwarber and a front of the line rotation guy. I only mention this outrageous haul because I’ve heard multiple callers chime in with this thought. While I don’t think the Red Sox should ever be restricted financially and are fully capable of pulling that type of offseason off if they want to, I’m almost certain they won’t.

Let’s all temper our expectations a bit, please. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt.

If they pull off two of those three acquisitions, I think you call the offseason a win.

Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.