Pete Alonso isn’t going anywhere.
In a surprise development, the fan-favorite first baseman reached a two-year, $54 million contract to return to the Mets, a source confirmed to the Daily News. Pending a physical, the first baseman will make $30 million in 2025, and can either opt out for the 2026 season or return to the Amazin’s with a $24 million player option.
Alonso’s agreement concludes a multiyear saga fraught with speculation about the slugger’s future in Queens. It reached a fever pitch Jan 25. Owner and CEO Steve Cohen called negotiations with Alonso and his agent, Scott Boras, “exhausting” when speaking on a panel at the Amazin’ Day fan fest at Citi Field, shocking many in baseball with his candor.
The 30-year-old was reportedly receiving interest from the Toronto Blue Jays. But, like many players in recent years, he preferred to not take their money.
He reportedly turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension offer during the 2023 season, but Alonso himself has said he was unaware of any offer. David Stearns was hired following the conclusion of the season as the Mets’ president of baseball operations, right around the time Alonso moved agencies, going to Boras Corporation a year ahead of his much-discussed free agency.
A second-round draft pick out of the University of Florida in 2016, Alonso endeared himself to Mets fans immediately with his passion and enthusiasm. Alonso and his wife Haley cemented themselves as members of the community with various charity initiatives to support animals, veterans and kids. The goal of the Alonso foundation is to advocate for those who can’t always advocate for themselves.
After making his MLB debut in 2019, the “Polar Bear” set a rookie record with 53 home runs en route to being named NL Rookie of the Year. He then set a franchise record with 131 RBI in 2022.
Alonso is the only Mets hitter with multiple 40-homer seasons — a feat he achieved three times. His 226 home runs rank third in team history, and should he stay healthy in 2025, it’s likely he’ll surpass Darryl Strawberry’s all-time Mets mark of 252.
However, Alonso is coming off two down seasons. Last year, at age 29, he hit only 34 home runs, drove in only 88 and posted a .788 OPS — all career-low numbers for a full, 182-game season. Still, he was named to his fourth All-Star team and played in all 182 games, which he drew high praise for.
The righty-swinging Alonso rebounded in the postseason, hitting one of the biggest home runs in franchise history with a go-ahead three-run blast in the ninth inning of the Mets’ Game 3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in their NL Wild Card series. Alonso owns a postseason OPS of 1.003 with five home runs.
Alonso’s market was slow to develop. Stearns was believed to be reluctant to invest heavily in a first baseman entering his age-30 season, and the Mets seemed to be pivoting this month when they signed outfielder Jesse Winker to a one-year, $8 million contract and reliever A.J. Minter to a two-year, $22 million deal.
But in the end, there was enough money for Alonso to re-sign with the only team he’s ever known. His return gives the Mets a big bat in the middle of the order that can provide protection for Juan Soto, the team’s key offseason acquisition. Soto was signed to a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract in December, with the Mets convincing him to leave the Bronx for Queens.
The addition of Alonso also solidifies the infield group, with Mark Vientos expected to remain at third base, and it adds to a tight-knit leadership group in the clubhouse. Francisco Lindor leads the way, with homegrown players like Brandon Nimmo and Alonso playing important roles in the locker room.
The prodigal polar bear returns to help the Mets finish what they started when he became one of the franchise faces at 24 years old.
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