While the New York Mets are pursuing free agent outfielder Juan Soto, president of baseball operations David Stearns also faces a need at first base. That position has been held by Pete Alonso since 2019, but he is now a free agent as well. A return to the Mets on a multi-year deal still seems likely, but anything can change once a player enters the open market and attracts interest from other teams. Alonso is coming off a down year in 2024 by his usual standards. Nevertheless, many teams would still welcome his production, which included a .788 OPS, 34 home runs, 88 RBI, and 91 runs scored in 695 plate appearances. He also posted strong numbers during the Mets’ postseason run, with a .999 OPS in 58 plate appearances. Spotrac estimates the right-handed slugger’s market value at six years and $174 million. However, considering he’ll be 30 years old in 2025 and could transition to full-time designated hitter by the end of his next contract, other projections are more conservative. The Athletic’s Tim Britton forecasts a five-year, $140 million deal for Alonso this offseason.
The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros have both been connected to Pete Alonso, as each team has a clear need at first base. The question is which American League West team could potentially lure him away from the Mets. Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb of The Score predicts that the Houston Astros will be the team to land Alonso.
“Alonso will stabilize what’s been a revolving door at first base for the Astros and is an obvious upgrade over Jon Singleton,” he wrote. “Alonso’s signing signals that Houston isn’t ready to shut the door on this remarkable era for the franchise just yet and serves as a precursor to other big moves this winter.”
Leave a Reply