The polar bear is moving south, and the question arises: will the Mets follow suit?
Pete Alonso, the New York Mets’ star first baseman and home run leader, has accepted a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, ending his highly successful seven-year run in Queens, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Alonso explored free agency last winter but couldn’t secure a long-term deal, returning to the Mets, the team that drafted him in 2016. Many expected a similar scenario this offseason, but instead, his agent Scott Boras negotiated a record deal with an ambitious Orioles team. Alonso ranks just behind Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber in home runs since 2019.
This move marks the second major Mets departure recently, following longtime closer Edwin Diaz signing with the Los Angeles and the November trade of outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers. Within weeks, the Mets have parted ways with three of their five longest-serving players, leaving only Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil from the recent core.
After a disappointing 2025 season, Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has decided a roster overhaul is necessary, but fans are left sad and uneasy as beloved players exit. The Mets remain one of the top teams in the league, finishing the offseason with the second-highest payroll at approximately $340 million, second only to the , signaling they won’t skimp on rebuilding.
Stearns plans to invest in starting pitching, with top candidates Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and newcomer Tatsuya Imai among the targets. Additionally, the bullpen needs reinforcement, especially after signing closer Devin Williams. While Kyle Tucker is a potential acquisition, his defensive limitations in the outfield corners may not fit the vision, whereas third baseman Alex Bregman is more aligned with the team’s needs. Though Alonso’s power will be hard to replace, the Mets have the financial means to remain contenders in 2026.
Despite setbacks, the Mets hold strong assets in their young talent pool including prospects like Carson Benge, Jett Williams, and promising infielders Mark Vientos, Brett Batty, Luisangel Acuña, and Ronnie Mauricio. However, playing time is limited, and though free agents like Tarik Skubal and Ketel Marte could be targeted, trade hurdles remain.
Center field remains a question mark on Opening Day, as options like Tyron Taylor and McNeil may shift positions. While Taylor’s defense is solid, his batting suffered in 2025. Free agent options are limited, with Harrison Bader as a reasonable fallback. The Mets also have promising young outfielders but may rely on Taylor until the future stars are ready.
The pitching rotation, once a strength, collapsed in 2025, with all but Frankie Montas returning in 2026. Rookie Nolan McLean has impressed and is set for Opening Day, but veterans like Sean Manaea, Kodai Chiga, David Peterson, and Clay Holmes all faced difficulties in the latter part of last season. Adding a proven free agent arm could help balance the rotation alongside prospects Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat.
Fan sentiment in Queens is currently low after a poor season and the loss of fan favorites. Despite strong attendance last season driven by owner Steve Cohen’s call for support, the franchise risks lukewarm engagement going forward unless the front office reveals a bold plan. Winning remains the ultimate remedy to fill seats, but after a vibrant offseason last year that saw the signing of Juan Soto, this winter feels less electrifying. While Stearns deserves credit for rebuilding the team’s infrastructure, the offseason’s true success will only be assessed when the 2026 season begins, as fans hope the front office can reignite their passion.
Fan Take: This news heavily impacts baseball fans, highlighting the changing dynamics in a once stable Mets lineup and raising questions about the team’s future competitiveness. It signals an exciting, if uncertain, era for MLB where financial power matches with bold strategies to redefine franchises and fan loyalty.
