Alonso is the No. 3 free agent overall, according to Bowden, behind Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker and Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

Bowden lists the Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers as the prime contenders for Alonso, with an expected price tag of six years and $182 million.

Contract Comps

He arrived at that number based on the following contract comps: Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (six years, $162 million), Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (six years, $162 million), and former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschsmidt (five years, $130 million).

“Alonso became the Mets’ all-time home run leader this year (he’s now at 264) and he put together a nice rebound season after a down 2024, hitting 38 bombs and leading the National League with 41 doubles,” Bowden writes. “He is beloved in Queens, and the feeling is mutual.

“The Mets were not willing to give him a long-term contract last offseason, and if they don’t change their tune this time around, they’ll probably lose him,” Bowden adds. “Alonso has belted 37 or more homers in each of the last five seasons and although he’s a below-average defender at first base, he works at it and he’s durable, having played all 162 games in each of the past two seasons. Alonso has a player option worth $24 million he’s expected to decline. He made $30 million in 2025.”

Expanding Market

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports the Giants also make sense for Alonso.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman says he’s hearing about interest in the slugger from the Houston Astros and New York Yankees.

Alonso, a two-time Home Run Derby champion said after the regular season ended he will opt out of his contract and hit the open market.

A five-time All-Star, Alonso was a free agent last winter and didn’t find a multi-year, nine-figure contract to his liking so he returned to the Mets, who gave him a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause.

The 30-year-old Alonso hit 38 home runs this season, which was eighth-best in the majors, and drove in 126 runs, second only to Schwarber.

Alonso, a home-grown Mets star, spent seven seasons in Queens. This year he became the franchise’s all-time home run leader, surpassing eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry.

The Red Sox spent much of the 2025 campaign trying to find a fit at first base after watching Triston Casas go down with a season-ending knee injury.