Pete Alonso is an old-school star: a big name with big power who played in a big market. Since his rookie season in the majors in 2019, only Aaron Judge has hit more home runs — and no one has driven in more runs. He was selected to four All-Star teams, won two Home Run Derby titles, played with great enthusiasm and energy and rarely missed a game.
But it’s a new-school world and Alonso’s free agency has been a slow process as front offices focus on his age (he’s entering his age-30 season), his relatively on-base percentages. mediocre over the last two seasons (.318 and .329). ), his career-low slugging percentage in 2024 (.459), and his lack of defensive and on-base value.
All of this has made Alonso the most intriguing free agent this offseason. Do his consistent power numbers earn him a nine-figure contract? Is it overrated? Did agent Scott Boras miscalculate demand again for one of his clients? Perhaps a return to the New York Mets is inevitable, especially since Alonso’s camp offered a three-year deal with opt-out clauses to the Mets – a big difference from seven-year, $158 million contract offer that Alonso reportedly turned down. in 2023. (However, just because Alonso is willing to sign a shorter-term contract doesn’t mean the AAV will also decrease.)
Let’s take a look at Alonso’s situation and see — even with his eye-popping home run and RBI totals — whether he’s worth a big deal and which teams could still potentially be a fit.