Longtime New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso remains a free agent with spring training just a month away.
Alonso's free agency has taken longer than expected, and to this point, there's no clear end in sight.
Alonso has always felt like a safe bet to return to the Mets — the only team he's ever known. However, after the team shelled out $765 million to sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto, it became unclear if Alonso remained in their plans.
To this point, it still sounds like the Mets are the most likely landing spot for Alonso.
While Alonso has regressed over the last few seasons, he's still a 40-homer threat who would provide great lineup protection for Soto. That's why The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon ultimately expect him to re-sign with New York.
In a recent article, Rosenthal and Sammon projected Alonso's next contract with New York. He was predicted to sign a three-year, $93.3 million deal, with deferrals that lower the present-day value.
Why $93.3 million? The history of it, say Rosenthal and Sammon.
"Agents, including Alonso's representative, (Scott) Boras, routinely try to establish records of some sort in contract negotiations," Rosenthal and Sammon wrote.
"A $31.1 million average annual value would set a record for a first baseman, beating Miguel Cabrera's $31 million AAV in his eight-year, $248 million extension with the Detroit Tigers that ran from 2016 to '23, his ages 33 to 40 seasons."
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This past week, former Mets general manager Jim Duquette reported that Alonso's camp has offered the Mets a three-year deal with opt-outs.
"According to league sources, Pete Alonso's camp has offered the Mets a three-year deal with opt outs," Duqette wrote on his X account on Friday. "This deal is only available to the Mets right now. No deal known to be close at the moment, and Alonso's agent Scott Boras declined comment."
According to league sources, Pete Alonso’s camp has offered the Mets a three- year deal with opt outs. This deal is only available to the Mets right now. No deal known to be close at the moment, and Alonso’s agent Scott Boras declined comment . We’ll have more on Power Alley on…
— Jim Duquette (@JimDuquetteGM) January 10, 2025He added: "Of course, the financial portion of the deal is unknown at this point, but this would be good for both sides, similar to how Cody Bellinger's contract with the Cubs was finalized in late February of 2024. There's no need to wait that long with Pete."
Of course, the financial portion of the deal is unknown at this point, but this would be good for both sides, similar to how Cody Bellinger’s contract with the Cubs was finalized in late February of 2024. There’s no need to wait that long with Pete
— Jim Duquette (@JimDuquetteGM) January 10, 2025This three-year deal would fit that bill, and, assuming it had opt-outs, would allow Alonso to re-enter free agency next offseason.
For now, all signs continue to point towards Alonso returning to New York.
Over the course of his six-year career in New York, Alonso has hit .249 with 226 home runs, 586 RBIs, and an OPS of .854. He's made four All-Star teams, including three straight over the last three seasons.
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