Jack MurrayJanuary 20, 2025
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- As the MLB offseason gets deeper, the potential destinations for free agent first baseman Pete Alonso continue to dwindle.
- Many of the top-tier free agents from the 2024-25 cycle have signed on the dotted line, including Juan Soto (New York Mets), Corbin Burnes (Arizona Diamondbacks), and Roki Sasaki (Los Angeles Dodgers).
- The market for the power-hitting Alonso has been active, with teams like the New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners all linked at one point. However, he remains unsigned and many of his former suitors have pivoted elsewhere to fill the role.
- Alonso hit .240/.329/.459 with 31 home runs and 88 RBIs in 162 games in 2024. He is a four-time All-Star and helped lead the Mets to the NLCS in 2024.
- Even after signing Soto, the Mets remain a potential landing spot even after rumors that the team had pivoted its focus. However, he still has several other suitors that could agree to terms on a short-to-long-term deal.
- Here are some of Alonso’s remaining free agency options.
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- The Toronto Blue Jays addressed their need for a power bat with the signing of outfielder Anthony Santander Monday afternoon. Toronto inked Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
- While this could theoretically rule the Blue Jays out of the Alonso sweepstakes, Scott Mitchell of TSN reported that an Alonso signing is “still in play.”
Scott Mitchell @ScottyMitchTSN
Pete Alonso is still in play too. Would not rule that one out.
- The Blue Jays have star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the roster but he has spent time at third base as well throughout his career. Alonso and Guerrero also could serve as the designated hitter.
- However, the biggest factor to signing Alonso could be the uncertainty around Guerrero’s future as he is set to hit free agency following the 2025 season. If Toronto is not confident in retaining the four-time All-Star, they could make Alonso his replacement and trade Guerrero away to recoup some value.
- Toronto has already missed out on Juan Soto, Roki Sasaki, Corbin Burnes and was unable to sign Shohei Ohtani last offseason. Getting Alonso could secure the team in the future and also re-establish the franchise as a contender in free agency.
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- The New York Mets have always expressed interest in retaining Alonso, but several rejected contract offers by Alonso make a reunion a bit more complicated.
- The dwindling market for Alonso may cause him to acquiesce a bit but the Mets also could take a similar strategy. The franchise has already committed $765 million to Juan Soto and have also agreed to deals with pitchers Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea and Paul Blackburn as well as outfielder Jesse Winker.
- These transactions, as well as existing contracts to shortstop Francisco Lindor, closer Edwin Díaz, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and starting pitcher Kodai Senga have the team’s payroll towards the top of MLB.
- However, Alonso’s history with the club and past performance could make a reunion still attractive, even if it’s short in length.
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- The Los Angeles Angels have had several superstars in the lineup over the past several seasons but have still failed to reach the postseason since 2014.
- Three-time MVP Mike Trout has only made the playoffs once while two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani never made the postseason during his time with the Angels. With Ohtani leaving for the cross-town rival Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason, the Angels could use a splash.
- Alonso would serve as another notable name with Trout and could help the franchise reverse this negative trend. Most of the Angels’ moves this offseason have been more low-key, with signings like pitcher Kyle Hendricks, shortstop Kevin Newman and catcher Travis d’Arnaud being the more notable acquisitions.
- Signing Alonso would provide some buzz for the team and success with him could somewhat soften the massive blow of losing Ohtani a season ago.
