Pete Alonso, the New York Mets’ first baseman, has reached an agreement to stay with the team, signing a two-year contract worth $54 million, according to a source familiar with the deal. The contract, which was first reported by The New York Post, is contingent on Alonso passing a physical.
The deal includes a $10 million signing bonus, with salaries of $20 million for 2025 and $24 million in 2026. Alonso has the option to opt out of the contract after the 2025 season to become a free agent again.
The Mets had also offered Alonso a three-year deal worth $71 million, with annual salaries of $27 million for 2025 and $22 million for the following two years. This version of the contract would have given Alonso the option to opt out after each of the first two seasons.
Alonso, who turned 30 on December 7, had been on the market for a longer period compared to other top free-agent first basemen. Christian Walker, for example, secured a three-year, $60 million contract with the Houston Astros, while players like Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana signed one-year deals with the New York Yankees and Cleveland, respectively.
Mets owner Steve Cohen voiced his frustration last month, stating that the negotiations with Pete Alonso were more challenging than the discussions that resulted in the record-breaking $765 million, 15-year contract with Juan Soto. Like Alonso, Soto is also represented by agent Scott Boras.
Steve Cohen expressed his dissatisfaction with the contract offers presented, saying they were unfairly skewed against the Mets. He emphasized that while he was open to negotiations, the reality was that as the team continues to acquire players, it becomes more difficult to fit Pete Alonso into an already expensive roster.
Previously, Alonso rejected a $158 million, seven-year deal in 2023, which would have covered the 2024-2030 seasons. After the 2023 season, Alonso switched agents to Scott Boras and signed a one-year deal worth $20.5 million to avoid arbitration.
Pete Alonso, known as the “Polar Bear,” has hit 226 home runs in six seasons with the New York Mets, earning four All-Star selections. However, his strikeouts have risen, peaking at a career-high 172 last year, while his OPS dropped to a career-low .788.
Alonso quickly became a fan favorite at Citi Field, being a home-grown star for the Mets. He was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2019 after hitting .260 with a record-breaking 53 home runs, leading the majors, and driving in 120 RBIs. He set another career-high in 2022 with 131 RBIs.
In 2023, Alonso batted a career-low .217 but still managed to hit 46 home runs and drive in 118 RBIs. This year, he hit .240 with 34 homers and 88 RBIs. One of his memorable moments was his three-run home run in the ninth inning off Devin Williams, which helped the Mets defeat Milwaukee in the deciding game of their NL Wild Card Series.
After being eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, the Mets made several additions, including acquiring Juan Soto, right-handers Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes, and Griffin Canning, along with left-hander A.J. Minter. They also re-signed left-hander Sean Manaea, right-hander Ryne Stanek, and outfielder Jesse Winker.
