Pete Alonso had a disappointing free agency this past offseason, but that doesn't look as though it will repeat in 2025.
The New York Mets' first baseman has an OPS nearly 200 points higher (.972) than it was in 2024. He's leading all of baseball with 55 RBI, and with three home runs in the last two games, he needs only 12 more long balls to become the all-time franchise record holder.
Alonso, who turned down a seven-year extension offer from the Mets in 2023, got just a two-year, $54 million deal in the winter with an opt-out after this season. But when he does opt out, he'll no longer have the qualifying offer attached to him, which could open up the bidding a bit.
However, it's clear that Alonso loves being a Met, and their advantages in his negotiations might be too much for opposing teams to overcome.
During an appearance on the "On Base with Mookie Betts" podcast, Alonso told the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar why he was so comfortable choosing the Mets this last go-around.
"We have the familiarity, which is great, because they know me, I know them," Alonso explained. "That organization's really special, because they believed in me when I was a 20-year-old kid.
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"Okay, we appreciate that, we'll come back in free agency."
Alonso also touched on a number of "boxes" the Mets checked for him: a roster that clearly has a chance to win championships soon, and his belief that the organization will continue to put "dudes" on the field to give them a chance to win.
It wasn't exactly a hardball question from Betts, but Alonso showed no signs of ill will toward the Mets for not offering him a nine-figure contract this past go-around. They'll have a bigger price tag to match this time, but it still looks like they have a massive advantage.
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