Pete Alonso Returns to New York Mets with Two-Year Contract Agreement
Pete Alonso has re-signed with the New York Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract, marking his return after a challenging free agency period. Despite a decline in recent performance, Alonso remains a key player for the team.
Slugger Pete Alonso and the New York Mets have agreed on a two-year, $54 million contract, putting an end to a lengthy free agency, as reported by ESPN on Wednesday. This agreement marks Alonso's return to the only team he has ever played for.
The 30-year-old Alonso has hit 226 home runs since his 2019 debut, placing him second in Major League Baseball, just behind Aaron Judge's 232. He rejoins a Mets lineup that recently added outfielder Juan Soto with a groundbreaking 15-year, $765 million deal this winter.
Despite earlier considerations by New York to move away from Alonso after negotiations reached an impasse, talks resumed amid a market that did not value Alonso comparably to the long-term deal he initially sought.
Alonso hit a rookie-record 53 home runs in 2019, and his consistent production has made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the franchise. He rejected a seven-year, $158 million contract extension from the Mets in the summer of 2023, aiming for a more lucrative deal on the open market after declining a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Mets.
Though Alonso faced limited choices as a long-term deal did not materialize, the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays showed interest in him. However, returning to the Mets was always the most likely outcome, even amid frustrations from owner Steve Cohen regarding the negotiations.
In recent seasons, Alonso’s production has seen a decline, with his OPS decreasing from .869 to .821 to .788. His Wins Above Replacement dropped from 3.8 to 2.8 to 2.1, and he recorded a career-low of 34 home runs in 2024.
Nonetheless, Alonso is still capable of delivering remarkable moments. Notably, in October of the previous year, while facing elimination against Milwaukee, he hit a crucial three-run home run in the ninth inning, leading the Mets to advance in the playoffs. He also homered multiple times against the Philadelphia Phillies and once during a six-game NLCS series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who went on to become the World Series champions.
