With a week before the official start of Spring Training, Pete Alonso has a home. After a negotiation that owner Steve Cohen called “exhausting,” the Mets got Pete Alonso back a on a two-year deal, giving the NL runner-ups a very strong lineup on paper heading into 2025.
A Look at Alonso
The Mets struck gold in the 2016 MLB Draft when the team drafted Pete Alonso in the second round. Alonso, after two and a half MiLB seasons, became a star immediately after coming up in 2019. His 226 home runs from 2019-24 ranked second-most in MLB, behind only Aaron Judge (232).
Fifty-three of those home runs came in his rookie season. That year, the same one that included the “juiced” baseballs saw Alonso posted his career-bests in SLG (.583) and OPS (.941). However, his numbers have been on a decline since then.
Now, that’s not to say Alonso has been bad since then — that would be incorrect. Alonso’s been among the game’s best home run hitters, particularly at the first base position. As noted in our power rankings list of first basemen, Alonso had the second-most home runs (80) among players at the position since 2013. He also finished top-10 in total bases and OPS.
However, he hit more line drives and fewer home runs in 2024; 12 fewer last season, compared to 2023. He still hit the ball hard a ton, with a 13.2% Barrel% that ranked among the league’s best.
Still, 2024 was the first season that saw Alonso slug less than .500, with a .459 SLG. His .788 OPS was not only significantly down from the .870 figure from 2022 but also a career-low.
Alonso was also arguably more patient last season then ever before. The 30-year-old set a career-high for the highest pitch per plate appearance (4.0) he recorded in his career. His 10.1% BB% came just shy of a career-high of 10.4%, set in the aforementioned 2019 season.
Also, it’s hard to talk about Alonso and not mention his prowess in the playoffs. Alonso hit .273/.431/.568 (.999 OPS) with four home runs in the 2024 playoffs, the most notable of which came off a high changeup off Devin Williams in the NL Wild Card Round.
Defensively, Alonso rates as a below-average defender. He’s worked hard to improve defensively at the position but is limited by below-average foot speed. His -9 Outs Above Average (per Statcast) ranked in the third percentile of the league.
Per reports, the Mets will sign Pete Alonso to a two-year deal worth $54MM. Alonso will get paid $30MM in the first year, including a $10MM signing bonus (Alonso is a Florida resident, which matters for tax purposes). An opt-out after 2025 is reportedly included.
Analysis
Alonso took a bet on himself on 2023 when he reportedly turned down a seven-year extension worth $158MM for better term and money. That, however, did not work out.
The 30-year-old was largely in the same boat as Anthony Santander was; both are fantastic power hitters, yet inefficient defenders and have flaws in their games. Add that in with the fact that Alonso is limited to first base, saw his numbers dip over the last two seasons, is on the wrong side of 30, and…you get the idea.
He’ll still get paid good money. But, Alonso won’t be the highest cumulative earner among his first base peers that were also in free agency. Christian Walker, who made higher contact, got on base more — .334 OBP for Walker between 2023-24, .324 for Alonso (a younger player) in that span — and is a better defender, got three years at $60MM total from the Astros (Alonso will get the higher AAV, however).
Regardless of the fact, Alonso remains a Met. Which, is certainly not bad for him. Alonso’s poised to have significantly more protection around him in the lineup, now with Juan Soto in Queens. It’s easy to dream on a 1-2-3 combo of Francisco Lindor, Soto, and Alonso atop the Mets lineup, followed by Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos.
All five of those players had 23+ home runs and OPS+ figures above 100 last season.
Alonso’s 2024 teammate, Harrison Bader, found a home with the Twins on February 5. Make sure to check out our coverage of that move.