The New York Mets had a productive MLB offseason. Signing 26-year-old outfielder Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, New York handed out the largest deal in baseball history.
While Soto understandably received most of the attention this offseason, he was not New York’s only move. Re-signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a two-year, $54 million contract, the Mets kept their right-handed slugger in New York.
Alonso’s free agency developed slowly, but he ultimately chose to remain with the Mets where he has spent his entire six-year career. A four-time All-Star, Alonso is expected to hit third this season behind Francisco Lindor and Soto ( via Jon Heyman of the New York Post).
In an exclusive interview with The Post, Alonso was asked directly about his major career decision to return to the Mets. Needing just two words to make his thoughts clear, the 30-year-old first baseman delivered a concise answer.
“Never left,” Alonso answered.
Pete Alonso opens up to The Post about ‘liberating’ mindset after Mets contract saga https://t.co/Qzy9l3Iu6n pic.twitter.com/BL5KDSvLrK
— New York Post (@nypost) March 8, 2025
Alonso had a more detailed response when asked about not receiving the $200 million contract some predicted his market would demand.
“Sometimes, it’s not necessarily the perfect route,” Alonso said. “But I’m perfectly content. If I’m healthy and performing, things will work out.”
With a player option for 2026, Alonso could become a free agent again after this season. The two-time Home Run Derby champion owns a career .854 OPS that ranks 19th among active hitters. As Alonso told Heyman, a productive year could allow him to land an even larger deal than the $54 million contract he signed this offseason.
