NEW YORK — A 12 months after discovering groups throughout Main League Baseball didn’t deem him worthy of a prolonged contract, Pete Alonso is again on the free agent market trying to find long-term love once more.
In February, after an prolonged standoff, Alonso settled for a two-year, $54 million deal to return to the New York Mets with an opt-out after the 2025 season. He was paid $30 million for this 12 months and posted numbers ok to make opting out the clear selection. And Alonso did not waste time, saying that was his plan minutes after the Mets misplaced their last regular-season recreation in opposition to the Miami Marlins to fall wanting the playoffs.
His possibilities of discovering a long-term accomplice are increased this time round for a number of causes. The primary one is evident: He is coming off a considerably stronger marketing campaign. Alonso had his worst season in 2024, slashing .240/.329/.459 with 34 residence runs. That, in a vacuum, was good manufacturing. But it surely was his fourth straight season with declining numbers — an alarming sample contemplating Alonso was about to show 30 and did not add worth on protection or the basepaths.
The metrics steered Alonso was nonetheless one of many worst defensive first basemen in baseball in 2025 — his minus-9 defensive runs saved and minus-9 outs above common each ranked 18th out of 18 certified first basemen — however he rebounded within the batter’s field. With an adjusted swing and method, Alonso hit the ball tougher — his 93.5 mph common exit velocity was a profession excessive — and the manufacturing adopted.
He slashed .272/.347/.524 with 38 residence runs and 126 RBIs principally hitting behind Juan Soto. His 141 wRC+ was tied for the second-largest output of his profession. He set the franchise file for profession residence runs, additional solidifying his place as one of the vital beloved Mets in current historical past.
Additionally of be aware: Alonso performed in all 162 video games for the second consecutive season and has appeared in 1,008 of the Mets’ 1,032 regular-season video games since debuting in 2019. He has began 993 of these video games at first base, 60 at DH.
Over that span, his 264 profession residence runs rank third in baseball behind solely Aaron Choose and Kyle Schwarber, a fellow free agent. Alonso is sturdy and constant.
Then there’s the market. Alonso and Schwarber are the 2 premier energy bats obtainable in free company this offseason. At first base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s determination to signal a 14-year, $500 million extension with Toronto in April eliminated Alonso’s stiffest positional competitors. Josh Naylor is a tier beneath — and a special participant with much less energy however higher defensively and on the bases — and Seattle wasn’t going to spend the required cash for Alonso, however the Mariners retaining their first baseman however removes an possibility on the place for different golf equipment.
Add it up and Alonso ought to discover a deal within the vary of 4 to 5 years. The query is the place. Listed here are a number of doable touchdown spots for the five-time All-Star, beginning along with his three most aggressive suitors to date, together with the one group he has ever recognized.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns mentioned final week that he would “love” to convey again Alonso and nearer Edwin Diaz, one other All-Star free agent. Alonso’s acknowledged willingness to function a chosen hitter, no less than in a part-time capability, would not damage because the Mets prioritize enhancing a protection that regressed in 2025.
“He is clearly a extremely good offensive participant,” Stearns mentioned on the GM conferences in Las Vegas. “And I feel for any group the power to get his bat within the lineup in a number of methods is useful. And it is nice to know that Pete is open to stuff like that.”
However the Mets’ high offseason precedence is pitching — within the rotation and the bullpen — and so they have inside choices for first base and DH within the brief and long run. Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Jeff McNeil may play first base. Juan Soto, after a poor defensive 12 months in proper subject, will ultimately see time at DH. Additional, Stearns’ unwillingness to provide Alonso what he needed final winter signifies he prefers to not make that stage of funding in him.
The Mets have not had somebody apart from Alonso begin at first base on Opening Day since Adrián González started a 54-game cameo to conclude his profession in 2018. A 12 months later, Alonso debuted and went on to membership 54 residence runs en path to being named Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months. He grew to become a fan favourite in Queens over his seven seasons. However he may discover himself in one other uniform in 2026.
First base manufacturing in 2025: .244/.305/.386, 16 HR, 86 wRC+, -0.7 fWAR
Major first basemen: Abraham Toro (57 begins), Romy Gonzalez (41), Triston Casas (27), Nathaniel Lowe (26)
Designated hitter manufacturing in 2025: .272/.361/.465, 26 HR, 125 wRC+, 2.5 fWAR
Major designated hitters: Rafael Devers (73), Masataka Yoshida (44), Rob Refsnyder (18), Roman Anthony (17)
Most of Boston’s DH manufacturing final season got here from Devers earlier than he was traded in June. First base was a serious drawback starting with Casas’ sluggish begin and exacerbated when he was misplaced for the season with a knee harm in early Might. The logical selection to interchange him — Devers — refused the project, which led to Boston transport him to San Francisco.
Toro, Gonzalez and Lowe, who was signed in August, dealt with the obligation for the rest of the season. Toro was designated for project in August. Lowe met the identical destiny Tuesday.
The Pink Sox president of baseball operations, Craig Breslow, has made it clear: He needs to amass an achieved middle-of-the-order bat, ideally a right-handed one. Buying and selling Devers, mixed with Alex Bregman’s free company, has left the Pink Sox with out a lot confirmed slug of their lineup. A reunion with Bregman would examine that field. As would signing Alonso, who may cut up time at first base and DH with Casas if Boston have been to maintain him.
Do the Pink Sox have the urge for food for each free brokers? Buying and selling Devers moved $29.1 million off the aggressive steadiness tax payroll for every of the subsequent eight years. The Pink Sox had roughly $98 million of their comparatively modest $201 million CBT payroll come off the books after the season. Their 2026 payroll is projected to incorporate greater than $50 million in raises, however Boston is a big-market membership with loads of cash to fill its wants.
First base manufacturing in 2025: .252/.318/.445, 29 HR, 107 wRC+, 2.0 fWAR
Major first basemen: Spencer Steer (113 begins), Christian Encarnacion-Strand (25)
Designated hitter manufacturing in 2025: .240/.313/.407, 21 HR, 96 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR
Major designated hitters: Gavin Lux (57 begins), Austin Hays (38), Miguel Andujar (20), Tyler Stephenson (17), Steer (16)
The Reds completed 14th within the majors in runs scored, however their collective 92 wRC+, a metric that adjusts for park components and league context, ranked twenty fourth. The Reds know there’s room for enchancment taking part in half of their video games at Nice American Ball Park, a hitter’s haven, in order that they’re searching for to strengthen their offense.
First base and DH aren’t apparent wants. Spencer Steer clubbed 21 residence runs in 146 video games. Sal Stewart, who turns 22 subsequent month, shall be a much bigger a part of the calculus after posting a 121 OPS+ in his first 18 profession video games. However Alonso resides on one other stage. As does Schwarber, a Cincinnati-area native.
Now, the cash half. Signing both slugger would require the biggest free agent contract in franchise historical past; the present excessive mark is the 2 four-year, $64 million offers given to Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas in 2020. The Reds are estimated to hold a $120 million CBT payroll for subsequent season after ending with a $143 million payroll in 2025, their highest since 2021. That projection consists of anticipated raises. If investing in a premier free agent is just too wealthy — or if all of them merely determine to play elsewhere — the Reds may land a less expensive different within the commerce market by dealing from their beginning rotation depth.
First base manufacturing in 2025: .262/.351/.479, 32 HR, 128 wRC+, 3.9 fWAR
Major first basemen: Bryce Harper (130 begins)
Designated hitter manufacturing in 2025: .238/.362/.566, 57 HR, 152 wRC+, 5.1 fWAR
Major designated hitters: Kyle Schwarber (154 begins)
With Bryce Harper at first base, Alonso most likely would solely make sense for the Phillies if they don’t re-sign Schwarber — one of the best designated hitter within the majors this facet of Shohei Ohtani. However Phillies proprietor John Middleton is not afraid to spend cash, and the group may make each Alonso and Schwarber work by transferring Harper again to the outfield. Offensively, Alonso’s right-handed bat is smart, for the reason that Phillies are anticipated to maneuver on from Nick Castellanos, catcher J.T. Realmuto is a free agent, and Alec Bohm is a candidate for a commerce.
First base manufacturing in 2025: .246/.323/.411, 18 HR, 103 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR
Major first basemen: Spencer Horwitz (93 begins), Enmanuel Valdez (22)
Designated hitter manufacturing in 2025: .238/.328/.390, 19 HR, 98 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR
Major designated hitters: Andrew McCutchen (120 begins), Bryan Reynolds (34)
This can be a lengthy shot, however the Pirates need to spend cash on upgrading their offense to enhance a powerful pitching workers headlined by Cy Younger Award winner Paul Skenes. Just like the A’s final winter of their quest to improve their beginning rotation, that would require overpaying for an impression bat. The value of doing enterprise.
First base manufacturing in 2025: .243/.310/.369, 14 HR, 92 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR
Major first basemen: Coby Mayo (67 begins), Ryan Mountcastle (50), Ryan O’Hearn (39)
Designated hitter manufacturing in 2025: .221/.296/.380, 22 HR, 90 wRC+, -0.5 fWAR
Major designated hitters: Mountcastle (33 begins), O’Hearn (31), Adley Rutschman (18), Jordan Westburg (16), Tyler O’Neill (13)
On the GM conferences, Orioles common supervisor Mike Elias mentioned he needed so as to add an influence hitter, ideally an outfielder, this offseason. Buying Taylor Ward for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on Tuesday checked that field. However they might all the time add extra slug and Alonso would give them loads.
Designated hitter manufacturing in 2025: .282/.354/.484, 34 HR, 133 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR
Major designated hitters: George Springer (80 begins), Anthony Santander (30), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (24)
This match is not clear, however the Blue Jays may lose the right-handed-hitting Bo Bichette in free company this winter and Alonso may function a alternative. The Blue Jays expressed curiosity in Alonso final winter, however that was when Guerrero’s future was very unsure. We’re not even going to hassle itemizing first base as a chance for Alonso in Toronto as a result of that is Guerrero’s job for a really very long time. Springer loved a resurgent season primarily as Toronto’s DH, so he must transfer again to the outfield to make room for Alonso.
