The New York Mets will have a different first baseman starting on Opening Day for the first time since 2019.
Star first baseman Pete Alonso is reportedly in agreement with the Baltimore Orioles on a five-year, $155 million deal, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
There was speculation that Alonso wouldn’t be returning to the Mets after he opted out of his short-term contract with New York. The team is focused on run prevention this offseason, and Alonso’s strength isn’t defense.
Alonso was a fan favorite in Queens since he bursted onto the scene in 2019, winning the National League Rookie of the Year. He hit 53 home runs with 120 RBI and a .941 OPS in 161 games.
The five-time All-Star has made a trip to the Midsummer Classic four consecutive seasons and is one of the most durable players in the sport, playing in all 162 games each of the past two seasons.
The Mets lose arguably the best-hitting first baseman in Major League Baseball, while the Orioles gain a dangerous middle-of-the-lineup bat after a disappointing 2025 season in Baltimore.
According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, “The Mets had some interest in bringing Pete Alonso back, but they were not comfortable going to the lengths and figures it ended up at in his deal with the Orioles, league sources said.”
New York must shift its attention elsewhere and try to replace Alonso’s incredible offensive production. As a Met, Alonso averaged 42 home runs, 114 RBI and an .857 OPS. The departure of Alonso creates large shoes to fill in the batter’s box. The Silver Slugger’s defensive prowess is low, but he makes up for it with shear offensive output.
The Boston Red Sox were the favorites to acquire Alonso’s services going into the Winter Meetings and insider Jon Heyman reported that while the Red Sox were serious about pursuing Alonso, the Orioles were at play as well.
“The Red Sox and Orioles are going to meet with him. I don’t think it’s the Mets… I’m hearing more buzz that the Red Sox are very serious about Alonso,” Heyman said Tuesday.
Alonso enters his age-31 season with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He has 264 home runs, 712 RBI and an .857 OPS across 1,008 career games.