Pete Alonso, renowned for his formidable power at the plate and enthusiasm for launching home runs, has agreed to a two-year, $54 million contract to remain with the New York Mets, sources confirmed to The Athletic on Wednesday. The deal, which includes a player option for the second year, will pay Alonso $30 million in 2025 and $24 million if he opts in for the following season.

Pete Alonso to return to Mets on 2-year, $54 million deal: Sources

A four-time All-Star, Alonso—who will turn 30 during the 2025 season—was regarded as the top available first baseman. Entering free agency, he ranked eighth on The Athletic’s Free Agent Big Board and was projected by Tim Britton to secure a five-year, $130 million contract.

However, a long-term agreement never materialized, leaving Alonso in free agency longer than expected. After acquiring Juan Soto, the Mets avoided committing to contracts exceeding three years. By late December, it became evident that Alonso would need to settle for a shorter-term deal to stay in New York. Negotiations between the Mets and Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, stretched into January, becoming so arduous that team owner Steve Cohen described the process as “exhausting.”https://svtoday.org/

According to league sources, the Mets had also proposed a three-year, $71 million offer, structured as $27 million in the first year, followed by two $22 million seasons, with a player option after the first year. Ultimately, Alonso opted for the two-year contract, prioritizing the higher first-year salary.

Under Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns, the Mets exercised financial caution in their approach to Alonso, a beloved figure among the fan base. Alonso’s skillset, particularly as a power hitter, seems to be undervalued in the current era of baseball. In a different generation, negotiations may have unfolded differently, but modern front offices often hesitate to commit long-term to aging sluggers like Alonso.

Despite that, Alonso remains one of the game’s premier power hitters. Since his MLB debut in 2019—when he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award—only Aaron Judge (232 home runs) has hit more home runs than Alonso (226). Drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 2016 draft, Alonso has become a cornerstone of the franchise, ranking third on the team’s all-time home run leaderboard. His historic 53-homer rookie campaign set a Mets single-season record, and he also holds the club’s RBI record for a single season (131 in 2022).

Alonso’s defining postseason moment came in October. Enduring a 40 at-bat stretch without an extra-base hit, he stepped up in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers and delivered a go-ahead three-run home run, keeping the Mets’ playoff hopes alive. New York advanced to the National League Championship Series, marking the deepest postseason run of Alonso’s career.

While his clutch performance in October—highlighted by a .999 OPS—helped salvage an otherwise underwhelming 2024 season, Alonso’s overall numbers fell short of his usual standards. He finished with 34 home runs, 88 RBIs, a .240 batting average, and a .788 OPS (123 OPS+). While respectable, his home run total marked a career low for a full season, and his OPS dropped noticeably below his career average of .854. Additionally, he struggled with runners on base throughout the year.

As Alonso ages, some scouts and executives question his long-term value, particularly as his physical tools inevitably decline. Power-hitting first basemen—especially right-handed hitters—often face skepticism regarding their longevity. Concerns exist about how his effectiveness might diminish if his chase rate increases, given that he doesn’t walk at an elite rate (typically around 10%) and provides little in terms of speed or defensive prowess. Scouts also note that Alonso lacks fluidity as a defender.

However, those who have played alongside him or coached him emphasize his relentless work ethic and passion for winning. Alonso is known for his dedication to improvement and durability—he played every game in 2024 and has missed only 24 games over the past five seasons combined. His reliability, consistency, and commitment to getting better remain valuable assets as he continues his career with the Mets.