Here’s the latest on where free agent Pete Alonso could end up, with a Mets reunion possible…
Jan. 6, 11:46 a.m.
Alonso will “almost certainly get an opt-out-laden short-term deal,” reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Passan notes that barring another team stepping up, the expectation is that Alonso and the Mets will reunite.
If Alonso’s contract does indeed wind up being opt-out-filled and short-term, the Mets — who are very open to high average annual value deals that aren’t lengthy — should be in strong position to land him.
Alonso’s market has seemingly not developed as he hoped, and a handful of teams that could’ve been fits for him have filled their first base needs — including the Yankees, Nationals, Astros, and Diamondbacks.
It was recently reported that the Angels and Giants have interest in Alonso, but there has been no information as far as the specifics of that interest.
The Red Sox could possibly be a fit if they trade first baseman Triston Casas, and the Mariners could emerge as a suitor if they clear money by trading starting pitcher Luis Castillo.
As far as possible alternatives for the Mets if they don’t retain Alonso, they have been connected to free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, but their interest is reportedly not intense.
Alonso, who is represented by Scott Boras, entered the offseason seeking a massive payday in terms of both years and dollars after reportedly turning down a seven-year, $158 million extension offer from the Mets during the 2023 season.
Jan. 2, 8:58 a.m.
The Angels are the latest team to be connected to Alonso.
“Angels looking at it,” Jon Heyman said on Wednesday during a Bleacher Report live show. “Again, I think it’s the years — possible gap there. They certainly are weighing that. I do believe Arte Moreno does want to get another big bat in there.”
Heyman added that free agent outfielder Anthony Santander “is probably a little more likely” for Los Angeles than Alonso.
Additionally, he noted that a reunion with the Mets for Alonso remains the most likely outcome.
Of all the teams that have been linked to Alonso, the Angels are the most reckless when it comes to recent spending. Beyond that, their ownership situation (Moreno) is unstable, they have not finished above .500 since 2015, and they have not made the playoffs since 2014.
For those reasons, it’s possible to envision a scenario where the Angels offer something above market for Alonso. But it’s also easy to picture a scenario where he has no interest in playing there.
Beyond the Mets and Angels, the Giants are the other team that is reportedly in on Alonso.
Dec. 30, 1:46 p.m.
With Alonso’s market still relatively quiet, it appears that another potential suitor can be crossed off the list.
Red Sox GM Craig Breslow told reporters, including Gabrielle Starr of The Boston Herald, that the Sox are “not shopping” first baseman Triston Casas.
Casas’ name popped up in trade rumors earlier this offseason.
The 24-year-old, who has only ever played first base at the big league level, had an .800 OPS for Boston in 63 games last season — his third in the majors.
With a handful of teams having recently found their first baseman for 2025 — including the Yankees, Astros, Diamondbacks, Nationals, and Guardians — the only two teams currently linked to Alonso via reporting are the Mets and Giants.
The Giants recently missed out on Corbin Burnes, and could possibly redirect that money.
As far as the Mets, president of baseball operations David Stearns has been open about the team’s desire to retain Alonso.
Dec. 28, 4:05 p.m.
With Corbin Burnes reportedly agreeing to a six-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Giants are looking for their plan B and that could include Alonso.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Giants are looking for offensive options including at first base.
“The Giants remain in the market for a first baseman or DH, too, and four-time All-Star Pete Alonso, who has hit 226 home runs in six seasons with the Mets, is on their radar,” Slusser wrote.
Currently, the Giants have LaMonte Wade Jr. at first but there were reports San Francisco was interested in Paul Goldschmidt before the former NL MVP signed with the Yankees. That suggests the Giants are open to moving Wade and making Alonso a legit option.
Dec. 26, 8:10 p.m.
As free agency continues, it seems Alonso’s free agency decision is unlikely to come anytime soon.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, there is said to be a “sizeable gap” in talks between Alonso and the Mets at the moment. Heyman says the gap doesn’t mean Alonso won’t return to the Mets but a quick deal isn’t likely.
Of course, Alonso’s market for teams has dwindled with many high-profile names being signed or traded in the last week or so but it seems the first baseman’s camp is ready to see how it all plays out.
For the Mets, they do have internal options at the corner infield spots. Mark Vientos can move over to first base, allowing Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio a chance to win the job out of spring training. The Mets can also sign a free agent third baseman, like Alex Bregman, to allow Vientos to move positions.
Dec. 23, 8:43 a.m.
Over the last few days, five teams have found a new first baseman.
The Astros signed Christian Walker to a three-year deal, the Yankees inked Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year deal, the Nationals traded with the Rangers for Nathaniel Lowe, the Diamondbacks swung a deal with the Guardians for Josh Naylor, and Cleveland signed Carlos Santana to a one-year contract.
Of the above teams, four of them (the Astros, Yanks, Nats, and D-backs) were possible fits for Alonso.
After the flurry of moves, Alonso’s choices in free agency have shrunk — and so have the Mets’ first base options.
New York was reportedly considering Goldschmidt. Meanwhile, Walker and Santana were rational fallback options, and Naylor was a possible trade target.
Alonso’s market remains quiet, with the Giants (if they don’t sign Corbin Burnes) and Mariners (if they clear a lot of salary) potential fits.
But the Mets remain the most sensible landing spot for Alonso, with a possible reunion making all the sense in the world for both sides.
Dec. 20, 10:46 a.m.
The Yankees “appear increasingly likely to go with a more inexpensive option” at first base than Alonso, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, citing sources with knowledge of New York’s pursuits.
Meanwhile, SNY’s Andy Martino noted that he would be surprised if the Yanks signed any first baseman who has draft pick compensation attached. Alonso does, having rejected the Mets’ one-year qualifying offer.
Alonso is seeking a long-term deal, but there have not been any reports of teams offering him one yet.
The first baseman will be entering his age-30 season in 2025.
Other options for the Yankees could include free agents like Carlos Santana and Paul Goldschmidt, who both seem likely to sign one-year deals and do not have draft pick compensation attached.
Dec. 19, 5:26 p.m.
The market for Alonso has been slow to develop, as it’s been for virtually the entire first base market, and the slugger may have to wait a bit longer before signing a new deal.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Alonso may have to wait until January or February to secure a deal, given the number of free agent first basemen available.
Meanwhile, an American League executive called Alonso “a complicated player.”
“He’s in his 30s and is a right-handed first baseman who is good – but probably had his best year already,” the executive said. “He’s not a defender and not an athlete, but he has no issue with the spotlight; he hits homers and hits them in big spots. He’s a tough one.”
Dec. 19, 11:57 a.m.
Teams are “hesitant” to give Alonso a long-term deal, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN, who notes that teams do see “great value in adding him for the next few years.”
Alonso, who is coming off two down campaigns, will be entering his age-30 season in 2025.
The Mets reportedly offered him a seven-year, $158 million extension during the 2023 season that would’ve bought out his final year of arbitration and run through 2030.
Alonso made $20.5 million last season.
David Stearns and Steve Cohen have repeatedly said that the Mets hope to retain Alonso, whose market has been slow to develop.
Along with the Mets, the Yankees have been connected to Alonso. But he would seem like a curious fit in the Bronx since the Yanks already have two right-handed power hitters over 30 who strike out at a relatively high clip.
Dec. 17, 1:16 p.m.
The Yankees and Cubs are reportedly at an impasse on a potential Cody Bellinger trade, so in the meantime, the Bombers have turned their attention to the first base free agent market.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees are “engaged in talks” with Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana, and Paul Goldschmidt.
Alonso would certainly be an interesting fit for the Yankees, who, as currently constructed, are a predominantly right-handed hitting team and already have a couple of high-volume strikeout hitters with power in Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Dec. 12, 5:01 p.m.
Speaking after Juan Soto’s introductory news conference, Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed optimism about a reunion with Alonso.
“Hopefully, we’ll get there,” Cohen said, telling reporters that the Mets are “still engaged” in contract talks with Alonso.
Though he provided an unforgettable playoff moment with his Wild Card Series-winning home run off of Devin Williams (then with the Brewers), it will be interesting to see if teams look past his dropping numbers (.229/.324/.480 over the last two seasons) to the 226 home runs he’s hit since 2019 — the most in the National League and second in all of baseball to only Aaron Judge (232).
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