New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is weeks away from free agency, with two new teams emerging as favorites if New York fails to re-sign him. Pete Alonso is set for free agency this winter, and despite envisioning himself as a “lifelong Met,” there is no guarantee that he will stay in Queens.
Top Destinations For Mets Slugger If New York Lets Him Walk
Alonso has had a down year to his standards, but he has undoubtedly been one of baseball’s most prolific power hitters over his six-year tenure. He ended the regular season, slashing .240/.330/.462 with a .794 OPS and 34 home runs in 160 games. Alonso’s 226 home runs since entering the league in 2019 are the second-most in baseball trailing only Aaron Judge (232).
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Alonso turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension from the Mets last season. The 29-year-old switched agents to Scott Boras and avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $20.5 million deal for 2024. Boras is known for encouraging his players to test the market in free agency rather than signing extensions. Even though the four-time All-Star would like to stay in New York, Mets owner Steve Cohen might have other plans.
“I love it here,” Alonso told reporters during Spring Training. “I definitely have envisioned myself being a lifelong Met; that’s something I’ve definitely thought about. But I can’t predict the future. I just want to focus on this season and be the best person I can be.”
Potential Landing Spots For Mets Star Pete Alonso
bob Nightengale also reported that if Alonso leaves, rival executives believe he could sign with the Seattle Mariners or Chicago Cubs. Alonso would certainly fit in either Seattle or Chicago, as both teams lack power in their lineups. With Isaac Paredes at third, Chicago could move the emerging Michael Busch to second base to make room for Alonso.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman also linked the power-hitting free agent-to-be to both the Nationals and the Astros. Washington has lacked production at first base and general manager Mike Rizzo plans to sign a middle-of-the-order bat this winter. First base has been a revolving door for the Astros this season. Jon Singleton has seen the most work at first base after Houston parted ways with José Abreu in June, but the 33-year-old is not a long-term solution. Alonso would give the Astros an everyday first baseman and another power bat in an already formidable lineup.
While the Mets remain the favorite to sign Alonso, rivals believe he can find a new home with any of these four teams.
Main Photo Credits: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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