Are the talks about Pete Alonso’s deal happening quietly? With all the hype going around this off-season’s trades, the 30-year-old has seldom come up in the MLB headlines—is it because he is a first baseman, or is there any other reason behind this? MLB insider Jeff Passan surely thinks that Pete has had his fair share of demand for the teams looking to fill that very position. Even though there are several free agent options available, the experience and legacy that he brings to the game have been undeniable. But things are way more complicated this offseason than ever.

Despite the free agent market being in an over-the-top situation, Pete Alonso seems to be lost. Teams that want a first baseman have multiple available options, including Paul Goldschmidt, Christian Walker, and Carlos Santana, with open trading options like Josh Naylor, Nathaniel Lowe, and Yandy Díaz. So, the teams in the mix might opt for someone who brings a feasible offer to the table. Additionally, there have also been talks about Pete Alonso’s performance in the past seasons—his OPS has been falling for the last two years, from .869 to .821, and then, .788.

While the past two seasons have seen his strikeout percentage increase, with the highest being 24.7% in the past year, Pete Alonso’s defensive skills are now facing major questions. Moreover, the 2024 season saw his worst defense points; as one AL executive pointed out, “Pete is a complicated player. He’s in his 30s and is a right-handed first baseman who is good – but probably had his best year already. He’s not a defender and not an athlete, but he has no issue with the spotlight; he hits homers and hits them in big spots. He’s a tough one.” Also, given that ‘the Polar Bear’ wants to land a $200 million contract, he might be out of budget for many.

Even though just a decade ago, the first basemen would land deals crossing over $200 million, at present, this scenario has changed, especially since the 2020s. For instance, Freddie Freeman signed a $162 million contract with the Dodgers, while Matt Olson extended his contract with the Braves to $168 million—these are considered among the highest-valued first-basemen deals.

But now, many consider the FB position something similar to the NFL’s running back, and hence, lack the will to invest much in this position. So, this generic approach among the teams might be why Pete Alonso is facing silence in the offseason market. But not every aspect of Alonso’s upcoming season is as dark as it seems.

Things are believed to come around for Pete Alonso, even if it takes time

Alonso also has his options, considering the teams looking for this position include the Yankees, the Mets, the Astros, the Mariners, as well as the D-backs. While every team has their own preferences, the New York Yankees and the Mets are the two most-rumored names looking forward to signing Alonso. As a home-grown Mets player, the team is keeping in touch with their star and negotiating on the clauses to bring him back. According to several industry sources, the Mets might offer him a $125-140 million contract for five years, where Pete can opt out around the first or second year. This liberty will give him a chance to check his free agency, especially if his seasons go well by then. 

According to MLB Insider Jeff Passan, Pete’s age and profile might make the teams hesitant to sign him for the long term, but he can add great value for the upcoming years. As one of the leading power hitters with 226 home runs, Alonso has been consistent throughout his career, which saw the Yankees showing great interest in him. The team has been in talks with Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, to understand different aspects of the deal. As pointed out by Passan, the Bronx crew is looking to “enter the fray more aggressively.”

So, does that indicate another prospective off-court battle between the Yanks and the Mets? Given the history and experience of Pete Alonso in MLB, there is no doubt that he will land a deal, fulfilling his own interests, but a definite outcome is expected around January/February. 

Do you have any estimations on when Alonso will finally get signed by a team? Keep sharing your thoughts below.