Pete Alonso isn’t going anyplace.
Alonso’s settlement concludes a multiyear saga fraught with hypothesis in regards to the slugger’s future in Queens. It reached a fever pitch Jan 25. Proprietor and CEO Steve Cohen referred to as negotiations with Alonso and his agent, Scott Boras, “exhausting” when talking on a panel on the Amazin’ Day fan fest at Citi Discipline, stunning many in baseball together with his candor.
The 30-year-old was reportedly receiving curiosity from the Toronto Blue Jays. However, like many gamers lately, he most popular to not take their cash.
He reportedly turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension provide through the 2023 season, however Alonso himself has mentioned he was unaware of any provide. David Stearns was employed following the conclusion of the season because the Mets’ president of baseball operations, proper across the time Alonso moved companies, going to Boras Company a yr forward of his much-discussed free company.
A second-round draft select of the College of Florida in 2016, Alonso endeared himself to Mets followers instantly together with his ardour and enthusiasm. Alonso and his spouse Haley cemented themselves as members of the group with varied charity initiatives to assist animals, veterans and youngsters. The aim of the Alonso basis is to advocate for individuals who can’t at all times advocate for themselves.
After making his MLB debut in 2019, the “Polar Bear” set a rookie report with 53 dwelling runs en path to being named NL Rookie of the Yr. He then set a franchise report with 131 RBI in 2022.
Alonso is the one Mets hitter with a number of 40-homer seasons — a feat he achieved thrice. His 226 dwelling runs rank third in crew historical past, and may he keep wholesome in 2025, it’s possible he’ll surpass Darryl Strawberry’s all-time Mets mark of 252.
Nonetheless, Alonso is coming off two down seasons. Final yr, at age 29, he hit solely 34 dwelling runs, drove in solely 88 and posted a .788 OPS — all career-low numbers for a full, 182-game season. Nonetheless, he was named to his fourth All-Star crew and performed in all 182 video games, which he drew excessive reward for.
The righty-swinging Alonso rebounded within the postseason, hitting one of many largest dwelling runs in franchise historical past with a go-ahead three-run blast within the ninth inning of the Mets’ Recreation 3 win in opposition to the Milwaukee Brewers of their NL Wild Card sequence. Alonso owns a postseason OPS of 1.003 with 5 dwelling runs.
Alonso’s market was gradual to develop. Stearns was believed to be reluctant to take a position closely in a primary baseman getting into his age-30 season, and the Mets gave the impression to be pivoting this month after they signed outfielder Jesse Winker to a one-year, $8 million contract and reliever A.J. Minter to a two-year, $22 million deal.
However ultimately, there was sufficient cash for Alonso to re-sign with the one crew he’s ever recognized. His return provides the Mets a giant bat in the course of the order that may present safety for Juan Soto, the crew’s key offseason acquisition. Soto was signed to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract in December, with the Mets convincing him to go away the Bronx for Queens.
The addition of Alonso additionally solidifies the infield group, with Mark Vientos anticipated to stay at third base, and it provides to a tight-knit management group within the clubhouse. Francisco Lindor leads the way in which, with homegrown gamers like Brandon Nimmo and Alonso taking part in vital roles within the locker room.
The prodigal polar bear returns to assist the Mets end what they began when he turned one of many franchise faces at 24 years outdated.
Initially Revealed: February 5, 2025 at 10:14 PM EST
