Slugger Pete Alonso and the New York Mets have agreed to a 2-year, $54 million contract, ending Alonso's extended free agency and bringing him back to the only team he's played for.
Slugger Pete Alonso and the New York Mets have agreed to a 2-year, $54 million contract, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. This marks the end of a lengthy free agency for Alonso, who returns to the only team he's ever played for.
The 30-year-old Alonso, who has hit 226 home runs since his 2019 debut - second only to Aaron Judge's 232 in Major League Baseball - is heading back to Queens to join a lineup that added outfielder Juan Soto on a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract this winter. While the Mets initially considered moving on from Alonso after negotiations on a deal reached an impasse, talks reignited amidst a free agent market that didn't value Alonso as highly as he sought at the beginning of the offseason. Teams tend to view right-handed-hitting, right-handed-throwing first basemen in their 30s as risky, even consistent performers like Alonso. Despite this, Alonso has consistently produced for the Mets, helping them through lean years and becoming a fan favorite and franchise cornerstone. After hitting a rookie-record 53 home runs in 2019, Alonso's run-producing prowess proved invaluable. Alonso had previously rejected a seven-year, $158 million contract extension from the Mets in the summer of 2023, hoping to secure a bigger payday on the open market. This decision came despite facing draft-pick compensation after declining a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Mets. A long-term deal never materialized, leaving Alonso with limited options. Although teams like the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays expressed interest in Alonso, returning to the Mets always seemed the most likely outcome, even as owner Steve Cohen publicly expressed frustration with the negotiations. While Alonso's production dipped over the past three seasons, with his OPS declining from .869 to .821 to .788, he continued to deliver in clutch moments. In a crucial wild card series game against Milwaukee in early October, with the Mets facing elimination and trailing 2-0 in the ninth inning, Alonso launched a three-run home run off Brewers closer Devin Williams. This momentous hit propelled New York to a series against Philadelphia, where Alonso homered twice. He added another home run in a six-game NLCS loss to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Alonso's postseason performance, a .278/.429/.574 line in 70 plate appearances, further solidified his value for the Mets. Now, the Mets can boast a formidable lineup with star shortstop Francisco Lindor at the leadoff spot, followed by Soto, Alonso, and emerging third baseman Mark Vientos in the 2-3-4 holes.
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