Pete Alonso, a free agent for the first time in his career, is faced with a decision that could impact his legacy as a New York Mets player. With the team’s lukewarm interest in his services, Alonso must choose between breaking Mets records and being a beloved homegrown slugger or pursuing more money elsewhere at the potential cost of having a more memorable career.
Alonso, who has been a free agent for three months, still has no evidence of receiving an offer that approaches Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $28.5 million in 2025, the highest average annual value for a first baseman in Major League Baseball. His agent, Scott Boras, may be seeking a new ceiling for first basemen, but it’s evident that Alonso’s skills have not improved enough to justify a significant increase in salary.
After a disappointing 2024 regular season, Alonso is averaging only 42.1% ground balls, his highest career rate, and his career-best 1.099 OPS with runners in scoring position in 2022 has dropped to a still-elite .918 mark. His streaky and inconsistent play has resulted in a career-worst .761 mark in 2024, and he may not be the player he once was.
Despite this, Alonso is still a 40-home run hitter who can change the game with one swing, as seen in his dramatic home run against the Brewers in the NLDS. His 226 home runs since 2019 are second-most in baseball, just six behind Aaron Judge’s total.
Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, is working hard to secure a better deal, but the team’s reluctance to compromise on a contract structure may force Alonso to accept that his market is what it is. With the likelihood of not being part of the NY Mets’ future, it’s imperative for Alonso to re-evaluate his priorities.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has publicly stated his unhappiness with the contract negotiations, citing the lack of flexibility and the team’s need for protection in the lineup. Despite the door being left open for a potential return, the Mets may have to move on if a deal is not reached soon.
In the end, it’s up to Alonso to decide what is most important: his legacy as a Mets player or the potential for increased financial compensation. With his options dwindling, it’s time for Alonso to choose which path he will take, and it may ultimately determine how his career will be remembered.
