The Baltimore Orioles and first baseman Pete Alonso agreed on a five-year deal Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
BREAKING: First baseman Pete Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $155 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Alonso leaves the Mets to make a loaded AL East even better.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2025
Pete Alonso Signs With Baltimore Orioles
The contract is reportedly worth $155 million, worth a $30 million annual value for the team. There are no opt-outs or deferrals within the deal, according to New York Post columnist Joel Sherman.
The New York Mets did not make a formal offer to Alonso during the offseason, according to New York Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo. The team reportedly did not feel comfortable with where bidding was going and pivoted.
Alonso Immediately Boosts Orioles Lineup
The first baseman represents the second lineup player the team has acquired, with Taylor Ward being the first in November. Ward brings a steady bat coming off a career-high 36 home runs in 2025, along with 103 RBIs. Pete Alonso could represent the team’s second big bat in the lineup if not the centerpiece.
The 31-year-old veteran is coming off another big year with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs, along with a National League-leading 41 doubles. He also saw a dip in his strikeout rate to 22.8% in 2025, along with his best season in terms of OPS, walk rate, and hard-hit percentage since his 2019 rookie campaign.
Woah. Pete Alonso to the Orioles for 5 years is a done deal! $155M that’s a $31M AAV!
In 2025: 38 HR, 126 RBI, .272 BA, .871 OPS, 144 OPS+. Career HR total is 264.
Elias, move that LF fence in again… pic.twitter.com/qqWCBqoE2f
— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) December 10, 2025
When plugged into the lineup, Alonso immediately becomes the team’s best bat alongside Ward. He would lead the team in doubles, home runs, hits, OPS, and strikeouts when placed into the 2025 lineup.
Baltimore had been looking to make upgrades given its low payroll, with Alonso a dream target for the team. Alonso’s signing would bring the team’s projected payroll to around $145 million, based on arbitration projections.
Alonso also has a potent bat on the sabermetric side. He is ranked 90th or better in barrel, hard-hit percentage, bat speed, and exit velocity. He does rank slightly below average in chase and whiff rates, but his production speaks for itself.
Ryan Mountcastle’s Days In Baltimore Are Over
The move could spell the end for fading first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who is coming off a disastrous season. It’s not exactly clear what will happen to the 28-year-old, but it could end in a trade or in his being designated to backup duties.
Mountcastle is due $6.5 million in arbitration, suggesting the team might move him. It could also spell an interesting dilemma between Samuel Basallo and Adley Rutschman behind the dish at catcher.
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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