New York Mets’ slugging first baseman Pete Alonso has some soul-searching ahead of him, once he plays his last game of 2025.
Until the Mets announced last February that they had re-signed Alonso, it was touch-and-go if “the Polar Bear” would be returning to the club that drafted him in 2016.
Armed with one of, if not the toughest agent and negotiator in all of sports, Scott Boras, Alonso was looking for top dollar for his services. After all, Mets’ owner Steve Cohen had just committed $765 million over 15 years to free agent Juan Soto (also a Boras client). To protect their prized outfielder day in and day out, Alonso’s heavy bat was going to be needed.
Agreeing to a two-year $54 million deal seven months ago, Alonso included an opt-out clause for 2026. In all likelihood, Alonso will test the free-agency market after the final game of the World Series is played this fall. Having another incredible season at the plate is only increasing Alonso’s value to prospective bidders.
Earlier this month, on Aug. 9 in Milwaukee, Alonso hit his 252nd career home run and tied Darryl Strawberry as the Mets’ all-time home run leader. On Aug. 12, at his home ballpark Citi Field in Queens, Alonso belted home runs 253 and 254 in a Mets’ blowout of the Atlanta Braves 13–5. Nearly 40,000 fans were standing, chanting his name, making “the Polar Bear” know how much they appreciated him.
As the regular season winds down, and New York clings to a half-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds ahead of the final Wild Card berth in the National League, Alonso’s production in the field and at the plate continues his audition tour for 2026.
MLB clubs will make Alonso, the Mets included, a very popular target to attempt to sign.
As the Mets wrap up their three-game series in Washington with the Nationals on Thursday, before moving onto a weekend series in Atlanta, Alonso’s durability is one trait that scouts will continue to monitor. Now in his seventh season with the Mets, Alonso has played in 972 games. Including the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season of 60 games per team, where Alonso appeared in 57 games, the Mets’ 2016 2nd-round pick out of the University of Florida is averaging 138 games played. This reinforces to scouting staffs that Alonso can be counted on to be in their lineups, eating up innings, and potentially being a major run producer.
In today’s MLB universe, home runs are the sexiest statistic. Alonso is as desirable as they come. He participated in five home run derbys during the All-Star week since his rookie season of 2019 and won twice—in 2019 and 2021. In Class-A ball, during the 2017 Florida State League season with the St. Lucie Mets, Alonso banged 16 home runs in 82 games. The following season, 2018, splitting 131 games with Double-A Binghamton in New York and Triple-A Las Vegas, the Tampa native swatted 36 long balls.
Cohen and Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns, know the complete package that Alonso presents. His diligent work at becoming a potential Gold Glover at first base is paying off. This season, with just six errors, down from a high of 12 during his rookie campaign, Alonso has 53 total errors in over 900 games. Since 2019, only Aaron Judge (272) and Kyle Schwarber (257) have hit more MLB home runs than “the Polar Bear.” He continues to prove to be as consistent with his bat as any slugger.
With the Mets coming in at the top of the payroll parade of all 30 MLB clubs at $323 million, with Soto’s 2025 compensation at $61-plus million, how much is management willing to add to an already ballooning budget for 2026?
Alonso, 30, will have some stiff competition after this season in free agency, should he elect that route.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman is almost certain to opt out of his deal and test the market. Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, too, is ready to see what his worth is on the open MLB market. Add Yankees’ Cody Bellinger, who is expected to act on his opt-out contract clause. Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Tucker, Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, Eugenio Suarez of the Seattle Mariners, and three-time MLB batting crown winner Luis Arraez are all expected to be included in the free agency pool—up for the highest bidders for the 2026 season.
Is a bigger banking haul, and not coming from the Mets, more important to Alonso than sticking in New York and possibly reaching the World Series?
In 2024, the Mets reached the National League Championship Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. For now, getting into the postseason is paramount for Alonso. Team first, contract second. But, when the clock strikes midnight in the 2025 season, one thing could be certain concerning Alonso’s whereabouts next season: Checkbooks will be opened by club owners. Plus, much ink will be used when filling in the total amount that will be owed to the greatest Mets’ home run hitter of all time.
