Pete Alonso Rumors: Mets Contract Appears to Be 'Likely Outcome' in MLB Free Agency

Returning to the New York Mets appears to be a "likely outcome" for free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, albeit on a deal "shorter" than he covets, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

"For Alonso, a return to the New York Mets seems to be the likely outcome, but on a deal shorter than Alonso desires. The Mets, after already committing $918.1 million this winter, including a stunning $765 million for Soto, are holding their ground on Alonso. While they'd like a reunion with the four-time All-Star who has hit 226 home runs, they simply aren't willing to give him a long-term deal for at least $200 million, not after his career-worst .788 OPS last season. Then again, no one else is either. Teams are reluctant to eclipse Freddie Freeman's six-year, $162 million contract and Matt Olson's eight-year, $168 million deal while Alonso's agent, Scott Boras, uses Prince Fielder's nine-year, $214 million contract with Detroit Tigers in 2012 as a comparison."

The 30-year-old Alonso, a four-time All-Star, hit .240 (.788 OPS) with 34 home runs and 88 RBI last season. He excelled in the team's run to the NLCS, smacking four home runs, including a clutch game-and-series winner against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Series. Alonso also added 10 RBI and a .999 OPS.

Alonso's production has notably gone down year-by-year since 2022, when he had an .869 OPS (4.4 WAR). Since then, he's posted an .821 OPS (3.2 WAR) in 2023 and a .788 OPS (2.6 WAR) in 2024. Alonso has also hit just .229 over the past two seasons.

However, he's a tremendous power threat, and his playoff performance can't be overlooked either. Alonso's ultimately been a great asset in Queens, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him back.

Nightengale added more context on the matter, also citing the current free agency of ex-Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.

"The Mets could be the most intriguing team in the Bregman/Alonso sweepstakes," Nightengale wrote. "Several executives believe that if the Mets don't sign Bregman and move third baseman Mark Vientos to first base, they'll sign Alonso. And if they don't sign Alonso, they'll shift to Bregman."

Nightengale mentioned a host of other suitors for Bregman, though, in the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. So it's certainly not a guarantee the Mets land him.

Back to Alonso, though, it's been previously reported by Jon Morosi on MLB Network that the Mets have the most interest in him.

With Nightengale's report in the mix, it appears the Mets remain the frontrunners for their old first baseman as the team looks to build off a tremendous playoff run.