The Baltimore Orioles were close to signing Kyle Schwarber away from the Philadelphia Phillies, but just missed despite a matched $150 million offer.
But now, they set their sights on another NL East slugger, specifically, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. The Orioles reportedly met with Alonso at the MLB Winter Meetings and should have the means to go after him this offseason.
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand revealed a key update on Alonso's free agent market, one about the Mets that would be some good news for the Orioles amid their pursuit of the top free agent first baseman on the market.
Orioles have key advantage over Mets in Pete Alonso's free agency
"According to sources," Feinsand writes, "Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns - who signed Alonso to a two-year, $54 million deal last February - may be hesitant to give the slugger a deal longer than three years."
If the Mets aren't willing to go beyond three years for Alonso, then the Orioles, who've already shown their willingness to spend big this winter with their Schwarber offer, could have a distinct advantage over the Mets.
Feinsand also shared a very interesting update on Alonso's potential free agent market, and one that would further spell good news for the Orioles.
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"Given that Schwarber - who is nearly two years older than Alonso and is strictly a designated hitter - landed a five-year pact," Feinsand writes, "it is believed that Alonso will be seeking a five-year deal, as well, likely in the same range of roughly $30 million per year."
If Alonso is seeking a contract similar to that of Schwarber, then the Orioles have already shown their willingness to dish out such a deal for an older, DH-only player.
While Schwarber is coming off the better season, Alonso is still one of the best sluggers in all of Major League Baseball, and could be more than worthwhile for the Orioles to sign.
They've shown serious interest in Alonso, and these two rumors, that Alonso is seeking a five-year deal, and the Mets aren't willing to go beyond three years, then the Orioles should have a massive leg-up on the Mets in Alonso's market.
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