The New York Mets have locked in their power-hitting first baseman, Pete Alonso, with a two-year contract worth $54 million. The agreement reportedly includes an opt-out clause after the 2025 season, a $10 million signing bonus, a $20 million salary for 2025, and a $24 million player option for 2026.
Alonso, a second-round draft pick from the University of Florida in 2016, has quickly become a cornerstone of the Mets' lineup. Over his first six seasons in the majors, he's smashed an impressive 226 home runs, including a record-breaking 53 during his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2019. A four-time All-Star, Alonso boasts a career OPS of .854.
Alonso's future with the Mets was a major question mark throughout the offseason. Team owner Steve Cohen had publicly expressed doubts about the team's ability to re-sign the slugger, comparing the negotiations to the challenging acquisition of Juan Soto. Cohen described the discussions as "exhausting" and even "worse" than those with Soto.
While acknowledging the financial constraints of retaining Alonso within an already expensive roster, Cohen always left the door open for his return. He stated that the team would need to adapt if the negotiations remained stagnant, suggesting a potential move forward without their star first baseman.
Ultimately, the Mets managed to secure Alonso, ensuring he'll share the field with Soto for at least the 2025 season. This signing provides a significant boost to the Mets' lineup and addresses a key area of concern for the team heading into the upcoming season.
