SPORTZONE27

 

Pete Alonso is about to test the market again, a year after he first entered free agency, resulting in an incredibly long negotiation process that included some late Blue Jays buzz, pointed words toward Scott Boras from Mets owner Steve Cohen, and an eventual compromise on a two-year deal with an opt-out to return to New York.

Alonso stated in the clubhouse this past Sunday, after the Mets’ season ended in utter failure, that he would be opting out of his contract.

 

 

This time, Alonso will be coming off a significantly better season than he had in 2024.

Alonso hit.272/.347/.524 in 162 games in 2025, with 38 home runs, a career-high 41 doubles, and 126 RBIs. He was named an All-Star for the fifth time, had the second-best OPS of his career, and was a force with runners in scoring position, batting.309/.401/.634 in 217 plate appearances.

Along the process, Alonso shattered the Mets’ all-time home run record. He is currently alone atop the chart, having hit 264 home runs in his seven seasons in New York.

David Stearns, Mets head of baseball operations, made identical comments about Alonso’s future on Monday as he did last year around the same time.

“Pete is a great Met,” Stearns remarked. “He had a great year. I said this last year, and it worked out; I’d love to have Pete back, and we’ll see how the offseason goes.

Stearns added:

 

 

“Whenever we talk about outgoing free agents or players who were with us but are now free agents, we always consider the overall package of what that player contributes to an organization. It is what he means to the team on the field, the community, and the fan base. That has always been part of the decision-making process, and I believe it will be again this offseason.”

Should the Mets re-sign Alonso, allowing him to play his whole career in Queens? Is it time to move on?

WHY IT COULD MAKE SENSE TO LET ALONSO GO

Alonso will enter his age-31 season in 2026, which means he is approaching the period where some regression is expected.

He’ll most likely be searching for a big payoff. However, as was the case last summer, it’s reasonable to ask how many teams will have a need for a power-hitting first baseman with questionable fielding and can afford to pay him.

 

 

Regarding that defense…

In 2025, Alonso ranked in the second percentile for Range/Outs Above Average. His arm was also evaluated as very low (fifth percentile), and he struggled with throws all season. Alonso’s high throw to first base to a covering Kodai Senga resulted in Senga’s hamstring injury back in June.

 

 

Then there are Stearns’ remarks about the need to enhance the team’s run defense and the idea of mixing up the offensive core.

“I come at this like we need to create a better roster that fits together better,” Stearns said the day after the season ended. “I believe our players worked their tails off. I believe they came to the park with the correct mindset every day, but it didn’t work. So I have to take a long, hard look at our roster.”

Of the Mets’ core, Juan Soto is obviously not going anywhere (as should be the case), Francisco Lindor is a perennial MVP contender who plays good defense at shortstop, and Brandon Nimmo has a complete no-trade clause (and probably not much value on the market given his age and contract situation). That means letting Alonso go could be the simplest way to freshen things up.

 

 

While Alonso’s offensive profile is mainly positive, he has had more swings and misses in his game over the previous two seasons, striking out 162 times in 2025 following 172 times in 2024. If his bat starts to slow down, his strikeout rate might rise.

WHY IT COULD MAKE SENSE TO KEEP ALONSO

Alonso is an extremely talented batter, as seen by his advanced statistics.

This season, he was in the 90th percentile or above for xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, barrel %, hard hit percentage, and bat speed.

And, while Alonso may be looking for a five- or six-year deal for around $30 million each season, it’s unlikely that any team will agree to that. Perhaps the Rangers might be interested, although they have reduced their salary ahead of 2025. The Red Sox may be a good option, especially if Alex Bregman leaves, but they should have Triston Casas back and healthy by 2026. The Yankees do not make much sense because they already have two right-handed power hitters who strike out frequently (Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton). Michael Busch is the Cubs’ first baseman.

So it’s feasible that Alonso returns to the Mets, though it will undoubtedly require a longer deal than last summer.

 

 

As the Mets consider reuniting with Alonso, it’s important remembering that they don’t have anybody ready to take over at first base if he left.

Before re-signing Alonso last offseason, they discussed Mark Vientos as a possible replacement. But following Vientos’ dismal year (.702 OPS), it’s tough to imagine New York heading in that route in 2026. Ryan Clifford, a power hitter, has the potential to become a minor league option in the near future. But he’s not ready and lacks the refined approach to the plate that Carson Benge and Jett Williams have.

Another advantage for Alonso is that he plays almost every day and has done so throughout his career.

Alonso has appeared in 1,008 regular season games over seven seasons, including all 162 in the previous two seasons.

VERDICT

The logical side of this is that, while Alonso is not a terrific defender, he is a very excellent hitter at a position of need for the Mets and has demonstrated his ability to flourish in New York.

Then there is the emotional aspect of it.

In addition to his offensive contributions, Alonso has been an excellent Met off the field, is popular with the majority of the fan base, and has consistently stated a desire to stay in New York over the previous several seasons.

If Alonso’s market does not spiral out of control — and there is no reason to believe it will — it makes perfect sense for the Mets to make a concerted attempt to get him back.

It will make even more sense for the Mets to rejoin with Alonso if he is willing to convert to designated hitter in the future seasons, allowing the organization to focus more on defense at first base.

Meanwhile, they may work on improving their team’s defense at third base, second base, and center field.

With Boras as Alonso’s agent, this is unlikely to be simple. However, as was the case last summer, Alonso will most likely return to the Mets. In that respect, nothing has changed.