The New York Mets and their star first baseman Pete Alonso have officially finalized a two-year, $54 million contract. This significant deal was completed as spring training commenced in Florida, marking the beginning of the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. The agreement ensures Alonso, a key player for the Mets, will remain with the team for at least the next two seasons, bringing certainty and excitement to Mets fans.
This resolution follows earlier reports of an agreement in principle, contingent on Alonso passing a physical examination, which he successfully completed. The contract details reveal a $10 million signing bonus, along with annual salaries of $20 million for the 2025 season and $24 million for 2026. Notably, the contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2025 season, providing Alonso with flexibility should he desire to re-enter free agency.
Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen expressed their enthusiasm in a news release, stating, “We’re excited to welcome Pete back to Queens. He is a homegrown talent who is adored by our fanbase.” Alonso’s return is undoubtedly a major boost for the Mets, securing a powerful presence in their lineup.
Pete Alonso, who celebrated his 30th birthday in December, experienced a longer period in free agency than some anticipated for a player of his caliber. In a market bustling with first basemen, several notable deals were struck. Christian Walker secured a $60 million, three-year contract with Houston, while veteran sluggers Paul Goldschmidt (New York Yankees) and Carlos Santana (Cleveland) each accepted one-year deals. Alonso’s two-year agreement with the Mets positions him among the top earners at his position and reflects his consistent offensive production.
Throughout his entire professional career, Alonso has been a Met, etching his name into the franchise’s record books. He currently ranks third in Mets history with 226 home runs, trailing only David Wright (242) and Darryl Strawberry (252). Since his major league debut in 2019, Alonso leads the majors with an impressive 586 RBIs. Among all MLB players, only Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees has surpassed Alonso’s home run total of 232 during this period, highlighting Alonso’s elite power hitting ability.
Known affectionately as the “Polar Bear,” Alonso holds the distinction of being the only Mets player to achieve five seasons with 30 or more home runs. In the previous season, he demonstrated remarkable durability, being one of only four players in the major leagues to participate in all 162 regular-season games.
“Pete is a great Met and one of the league’s elite power threats,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns commented. “I’m thrilled that we reached an agreement, and I’m looking forward to watching Pete help anchor our lineup.” Stearns’ remarks underscore Alonso’s importance to the team’s offensive strategy and overall competitiveness.
The contract also includes performance-based incentives for Alonso. He can earn bonuses for accolades such as MVP awards ($200,000 for MVP, $150,000 for second, $50,000 for third), World Series MVP ($150,000), National League Championship Series MVP ($100,000), and Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, All-Star team selection, or All-MLB team honors ($100,000 each).
In the last season, Alonso posted a .240 batting average with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs, along with a .788 OPS. While his strikeout count reached 172, his consistent presence in every game was invaluable to the Mets’ campaign, which included a run to the NLCS. A memorable highlight of his season was a game-winning three-run home run in the ninth inning against Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers in their wild card series.
Alonso’s early career success includes being named NL Rookie of the Year in 2019, a season where he hit .260 with a major league-leading 53 home runs – setting a rookie record – and 120 RBIs. He further demonstrated his run-producing ability with a career-best 131 RBIs in 2022.
In other Mets news, reliever Drew Smith was also re-signed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2026. Smith, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is anticipated to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season but is expected to be ready for the 2026 season. Conversely, Jose Iglesias is unlikely to return to the Mets, as the team plans to evaluate younger infield talent during spring training, according to David Stearns. The focus on younger players indicates a strategic shift towards developing future talent within the organization.
With Pete Alonso secured, the Mets look to the upcoming season with renewed optimism, counting on his power hitting and leadership to drive their offensive efforts.
Source: ESPN News Services, Associated Press
