Why Pete Alonso’s Dream Long-Term Deal Might Slip Through His Fingers—Insiders Sound the Alarm

Alright, here’s the scoop on Pete Alonso, the powerhouse first baseman who’s currently navigating the choppy waters of free agency. Folks around the league—and believe me, I’ve talked to a few insiders—are buzzing about whether the slugger will ink a deal with the Mets again or take his talents elsewhere. He’s coming off a banner season, no doubt, and the big question is if that performance will translate into the shiny, long-term contract he’s angling for. Some say the market’s not quite as rosy as one might hope, with whispers that the lengthy deal Alonso desires might just be out of reach. That said, the Orioles, Red Sox, and a few other contenders are circling, ready to swing for the fences. The Mets, however, have made no secret about wanting to keep him in the fold, though the terms remain a sticking point—especially if Alonso isn’t ready to shift gears, maybe by taking on more DH duties. It’s a dance of dollars, years, and playing time that has everyone on the edge of their seats. Intrigued? You’re not alone.

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Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding free agent first baseman Pete Alonso and his chances of returning to the Mets…

Dec. 6, 2:33 p.m.

As Alonso looks to cash in a highly productive season into a long-term deal, it seems some in the industry do not believe the slugger will get the contract he’s looking for.

Earlier this offseason, it was reported that Alonso was seeking at least a seven-year deal, but the Post’s Joel Sherman spoke to outside agents and execs around the league, and they don’t believe Alonso will come close to that.

“I don’t think length is out there for Alonso,” an AL official told Sherman.

One veteran agent offered to the Post, “No one is giving him five years. He would be lucky to get four, and that will likely come with a lower AAV [average annual value] and a whopper of deferred dollars.”

Last offseason, Alonso and the Mets had a standoff as the slugger sought a long-term and lucrative contract. New York and Alonso wound up settling on a two-year, $54 million deal just before camp, and after having one of his best offensive seasons, the first baseman opted out to test free agency once again.

But with teams like the Orioles and Red Sox looking at signing Alonso, it’s likely he’ll get more than what the Mets gave him before the 2025 season.

Dec. 4, 4:08 p.m.

The Red Sox have Alonso and fellow free agent Kyle Schwarber as “primary targets” as they look to add thump to their lineup, reports Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic.

Schwarber’s market is reportedly robust, with the Phillies, Mets, and Reds also involved.

As far as Alonso, it seems Boston and the Mets could be the two likeliest landing spots.

The Sox have also been linked to Alex Bregman (like Alonso, Bregman is repped by Scott Boras), and re-signing him could potentially remove the possibility that they ink Alonso.

When it comes to Bregman’s market, the Tigers are another team with reported interest.

Dec. 1, 10:09 a.m.

With Alonso’s free agency in its second month, he is waiting for a team to “step to the forefront” for him, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Passan characterizes third baseman Alex Bregman‘s free agency the same way.

Alonso and Bregman are linked in other ways this offseason.

The Sox could be the most serious non-Mets suitor for Alonso, and are also interested in re-signing Bregman.

Beyond that, both players are represented by Scott Boras.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has said numerous times this offseason that the team would love to retain Alonso.

Nov. 17, 9:40 a.m.

The Red Sox are sending “mixed signals” regarding a potential pursuit of Alonso, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive.

Cotillo notes that at the beginning of the offseason, “a well-connected industry source” didn’t think Boston would be a “major player” for Alonso.

But there are now people in the Red Sox’s “inner circle” who prefer Alonso to fellow free agent Kyle Schwarber.

Schwarber is attached to a qualifying offer, while Alonso is not.

Boston has first baseman Triston Casas, who would seemingly be boxed out of playing time if Alonso signed.

Meanwhile, Josh Naylor agreed to a five-year deal with the Mariners on Sunday — taking one potential Alonso fallback option off the market and removing Seattle as a possible Alonso suitor.

Nov. 11, 6:19 p.m.

Speaking at the GM Meetings, president of baseball operations David Stearns said the Mets would love to have Alonso (and Edwin Diaz) back.

“We love both Pete and Edwin,” Stearns said. “They’ve been great representatives of the organization. We’d love to have them both back. At this stage of the offseason, it’s really tough to predict any outcomes, but certainly, we would love to have both those guys back.”

Stearns added:

“All parts of player contribution inform how we view the player. For a position player, that’s certainly going to include offense and what they do in the box and what they do defensively. It also includes what they mean to us off the field, what they meant to us in the clubhouse and in the community. All that gets factored in with every player and Pete’s no different.”

Nov. 10, 5:06 p.m.

SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino says his “hunch” is that David Stearns and Steve Cohen “would be happy to welcome Alonso back in 2026” if he’s open to a significant increase in at-bats at DH.

Additionally, Martino notes that it’s “hard to imagine an increased willingness” by the Mets to offer Alonso a deal for four or five years.