Most of the attention will understandably be on the free agency of Juan Soto this winter. Still, slugging first baseman Pete Alonso will be one of the notable dominoes expected to fall shortly after the crown jewel of the winter finds a new home.
Alonso will likely get a deal richer than the seven-year, $158 million offer he turned down from the Mets last season. However, it would be a major surprise if he and agent Scott Boras got the $200 million figure they once pined over in hopes of resetting the first baseman market.
The 30-year-old is coming off a down season in which he hit 34 home runs with a .788 OPS — more of a testament to how lethal of a power hitter he has been since making his MLB debut with the Mets back in 2019.
Regardless, his availability is enigmatic. His less-than-inspiring regular season was boosted by a strong showing in the playoffs, slugging four home runs with 10 RBI in 13 games as the Mets made a run to the NLCS.
Could a long-term contract help stabilize Alonso and get him back to the .800-plus OPS and 40-plus home run threat that had been a regular in Queens? Perhaps.
He will not be short of suitors, regardless.
Pete Alonso potential landing spots
Mets: The Mets are still very much in play to bring back Alonso, though it feels like a few things will have to fall the first baseman’s way for that to happen. If Soto opts to sign elsewhere, his chances of returning to Queens increase substantially.
President of baseball operations David Stearns does not have to acquiesce to every demand of Boras’, though. There is some negotiating power in having Mark Vientos as a safety valve. The third baseman had a breakout season in 2024 with 27 home runs and is believed to be better suited defensively at first base rather than the hot corner.
Yankees: Much like the Mets, this feels as though it hinges on Soto. Should the Yankees retain the star right fielder, they likely would not flash more cash to bring on Alonso. If Soto goes elsewhere, a big bat to plug in at first base is a substantial upgrade to Anthony Rizzo, who was plagued by injuries for most of the last two seasons before the Yankees declined his option for 2025.
Houston Astros: The Astros have been starved for production out of the first base slot ever since Jose Abreu failed to live up to expectations. A big-time shakeup could be vital to get Houston back on track as an elite American League side, and Alonso would help do just that. Astros first basemen last year combined to post a paltry .651 OPS with 18 home runs.
Washington Nationals: Once on the precipice of drifting off to irrelevance, the Nationals have something brewing with their young pieces from the Soto trade showing plenty of promise. To get back to contention, they need to bring in a big bat. That is why they are linked with a reunion with Soto and why they could potentially be players for Alonso.
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners should be significant players in the free-agent market this winter and are in dire need of a big bat. Ty France is gone, and the combination of Luke Raley, Justin Truern, and Tyler Locklear — the organization’s No. 6 prospect — at first base does not inspire enough confidence moving toward 2025. Alonso would transform the middle of Seattle’s lineup in a very winnable American League West.
