The New York Mets just forked out a jaw-dropping $765 million to land superstar Juan Soto—but according to reports, they may not be done splashing the cash, with rumors suggesting the team could be preparing to drop another $182 million to re-sign slugger Pete Alonso.

Alonso, 30, has been part of the team since 2016, when he was drafted by the Mets as the 64th overall pick in the second round of that year’s MLB draft. However, after a storied eight-year run, his contract expired during the 2024 season, leaving the baseball pro as a free agent for the first time in his career.

Now, with the MLB‘s Winter Meetings wrapped up—and multiple free agents snagged by new teams, questions remain over Alonso’s future, particularly after team owner Steve Cohen revealed that the player is still “engaged” in conversations about his future.

“We think he is a great bat, and we’re still engaged,” Cohen told reporters, per the New York Post. “We hope that he stays.”

The billionaire conceded that Alonso, known to his fans as “Polar Pete,” has other options and has been exploring that potential, but says he feels confident that the longtime Mets star will remain with the team.

“[He] just needs some time to go out and test his market and see what it is,” he added. “And hopefully we’ll get there.”

The majority of sports pundits believe that Cohen is correct and that Alonso will end up re-signing with the Mets—with some suggesting that, despite spending so much money on Soto, the team would be well advised to tie him into a lengthy contract.

Bleacher Report predicted that Alonso will end up signing an eight-year deal worth around $182 million.

Certainly, the Mets’ fans don’t want to lose him, with one sports fan writing on X: “In my opinion, Pete Alonso going back to the Mets has always been inevitable. He’s a home-grown, big time power bat behind Soto and the Mets desperately need that and a first basemen.

“But more importantly – he loves the Mets and the fans love him back. Bring him home.”

Another fan posted: “Steve Cohen, if you can hear me. All I’m asking for this Christmas is PLEASE don’t let Pete Alonso go.”

Polar Bear express

Tampa native Alonso has been playing with the Mets since 2019 when he made his professional debut, winning the National Rookie of the Year award that year. His 53 home runs set a new rookie record.

The star, known as the Polar Bear, has been smashing records ever since. The 30-year-old, four-time MLB All-Star led the league in home runs in 2019 and in RBI in 2022. He has also won the MLB Home Run Derby in 2019 and 2021.

Alonso has also embraced the Big Apple. He donated a pair of commemorative cleats to the 9/11 museum and said of Manhattan, “New York has embraced me. I’m just so thankful. I want to keep saying thank you to everybody in the city. Mets fans especially. This is home. This is home now.”

So if Mets fans get their wish and the Polar Bear stays with New York, will Alonso use the impressive injection of cash to lay down some more permanent roots in the city?

Newly minted New Yorker

While not too much is know about Alonso’s city perch, he has lived in an apartment on the Upper East Side with his wife, Haley. In fact, he enjoyed the city so much, he said in 2019 that he planned to spend part of the offseason in his newfound home.

He’s also out and about in his neighborhood. The foodie raved about a local deli, Pastrami Queen, posting on Twitter (now X) at the time, “This deli is life changing. You’re welcome.”

Florida man

In the offseason, Alonso does have a place where he can rest his head and enjoy some R&R with wife Haley.

The two met in 2015, when the ballplayer was competing in the Cape Cod League, while they were both still in college. He was at University of Florida, she was at Michigan State University. After a long distance relationship, they were engaged in 2018. The athlete told ESPN in 2020, “I just couldn’t get enough of her. For me, this was the one.”

The couple wed in Tampa in 2021, created a charity together, Alonso Foundation, that supports supports youth, veteran, and animal causes.

Alonso has also kept ties with his hometown, where he picked up a place in 2020 for $1.9 million. With four bedrooms and four baths spread over 3,258 square feet on a little over a quarter-acre, the property is now valued at over $3 million, according to Realtor.com®.

Built in 1957, the contemporary South Tampa waterfront pool home offers “luxury living with privacy and gorgeous water views,” according to the listing.

Highlights include a two-story foyer with living spaces overlooking the pool and lawn. The kitchen was renovated in 2019, with quartzite counters and high-end appliances.

The property also includes a boat dock.