As the MLB offseason kicks off and teams start shaping their rosters for 2026, buzz is growing in New York about a potential breakup between the Mets and their longtime slugger Pete Alonso. What began as quiet insider chatter has now spread throughout the league, making Alonso’s future one of the hottest topics of the Mets’ offseason.
A recent ESPN segment fueled the speculation even further. Reporters discussed how aggressive both the Mets and Yankees might be in free agency following disappointing finishes to their seasons — a question that immediately grabbed fans’ attention:
“After a disappointing end to the season for both New York teams, how active do those in the industry expect the Yankees and Mets to be this winter?”
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo offered a particularly telling response.
“The general belief is that the Mets will take a much more aggressive approach this offseason after falling short of expectations,” ESPN’s report stated. “They’re in desperate need of a true No. 1 starter. Rumors linking them to Tarik Skubal began as soon as Detroit was eliminated from the playoffs, but landing the reigning Cy Young winner would require David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, to step outside his usual comfort zone. Then there’s the matter of Pete Alonso — a free agent for the second straight winter. He’s coming off a bounce-back season and wants a big, long-term deal. The Mets are unlikely to meet that price, which would leave first base wide open.”
The report echoes the growing buzz around Alonso’s free agency, as sources confirmed he opted out of his contract earlier this week. The 30-year-old slugger hit .272 with 170 hits, 38 home runs, 126 RBIs, and 87 runs scored in 2025. Despite his strong year, the Mets’ hesitation to offer a massive contract highlights Stearns’ larger vision of maintaining flexibility and balance across the roster.
That vision could also include a blockbuster move for Tarik Skubal, signaling a renewed focus on building around elite pitching rather than star power.
If Alonso walks, it would mark the end of an era in Queens — and the beginning of a new chapter defined less by sentiment and more by long-term stability.