Orlando, Florida – The Mets are undergoing another significant change as their all-time home run leader, Pete Alonso, is set to join the Baltimore Orioles.
Following the departures of longtime closer Edwin Diaz to the and Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, Alonso is the latest franchise star to leave New York. He has agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles, marking the highest average salary ever signed by a free-agent first baseman.
Last year, Alonso didn’t secure the long-term contract he desired due to a below-par season by his standards. Instead, he accepted a two-year, $54 million deal with opt-outs, improved his stats in 2025, and chose to exercise his contract this offseason. During 2025, Alonso performed 44% better than the league average and surpassed Darryl Strawberry as the Mets’ all-time home run leader.
Drafted in the second round by the Mets in 2016, Alonso was a five-time All-Star over seven years with New York and finished with 264 home runs. After Kyle Schwarber’s recent return to the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million contract, Alonso became the top power hitter available on the market. His new deal with the Orioles was $5 million more annually than Schwarber’s, showing his market value had risen.
The wait for Alonso’s long-term contract was well worth it. Despite a .240/.329/.459 slash line with 34 home runs last season, Alonso bounced back by lowering his strikeout rate and achieving a career-best .272 batting average and 38 home runs in 2025. The Orioles were drawn to his resurgence as they aim to improve from last place.
Alonso ranks fourth in home runs across MLB over the past five years and set personal bests in hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity in 2025, earning the contract he sought. Although his defense at first base and baserunning leave much to be desired, the Orioles’ investment reflects his status as one of the game’s premier power hitters. Baltimore’s offense struggled last year, ranking 19th in slugging percentage and 21st in OPS. Alonso’s .871 OPS in 2025 was nearly 0.1 points higher than the team leader Gunnar Henderson’s.
Playing at Camden Yards could boost Alonso’s home run total — Statcast data suggests he might have hit 45 homers in 2025 if the Orioles’ left field wall remained unchanged. If he’s willing to adapt, Alonso’s presence will be a major boost for Baltimore.
For the Mets, refusing to offer Alonso a long-term deal mirrors last season’s stance, signaling more changes in Queens amid a disappointing 2025 campaign. Director of Baseball Operations David Stearns faces the challenge of rebuilding the team after losing key players like Diaz and Alonso, both of whom led the club in significant offensive stats.
Although the addition of Devin Williams softened the blow of Diaz’s exit, the Mets still need a frontline starter and more power hitters. Stearns has options like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Tatsuya Imai available, alongside free agents such as Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, Munetaka Murakami, and Eugenio Suarez. The Mets have their work cut out for them to revitalize the roster.
Meanwhile, the Orioles are investing in their young core with a solid 75-87 record in 2025, finishing fifth in the AL East. Adding Alonso and Taylor Ward to talents like Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westberg, Jackson Holiday, and Adley Rutschman, Baltimore could field one of the most dangerous lineups in MLB. Alonso’s presence balances out the Orioles’ left-handed hitters, who previously ranked 11th in home runs, and also weakens division rivals by keeping a top slugger away from the Red Sox.
Baltimore still needs a top-tier starting pitcher to pair with Trevor Rodgers or Kyle Bradish, but the strengthened lineup should give the team a competitive edge moving forward.
Rowan Kavner – MLB writer for FOX Sports, previously covering the LA , LA Clippers, and Dallas Cowboys. LSU graduate and West Coast resident since 2014. Follow on X @RowanKavner.
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Fan Take: Pete Alonso’s move to Baltimore shakes up the power dynamics in the AL East and hints at a new era for both the Orioles and Mets. For baseball fans, this highlights how strategic player movement can redefine team fortunes and keep the sport thrilling season after season.
