Mets Let Pete Alonso Walk, Never Making a Formal Offer
The face of the franchise is gone. In a move that will surely sting Mets fans for years to come, homegrown slugger Pete Alonso is heading to the Baltimore Orioles, agreeing to a massive five-year, $155 million contract.
What adds salt to the wound for the New York faithful is how it all went down. Sources close to the situation confirmed that the Mets never even slid a formal contract offer across the table. It became clear to the front office that the bidding for the first baseman was climbing into a territory they simply weren’t willing to enter, so they bowed out before the fight even began.
This decision marks the end of an era in Queens. Alonso wasn’t just another player; he was the “Polar Bear,” the franchise’s all-time home run leader, and a two-time Home Run Derby champion who brought excitement back to Citi Field.
How did the Mets lose Pete Alonso?
Letting a player of Alonso’s caliber and popularity walk without a fight is a tough pill for any fanbase to swallow. After opting out of his contract following the World Series, Alonso became a free agent for the second time. The Mets had tendered him a qualifying offer in 2024, making him ineligible for one this year. This meant no draft pick compensation would be tied to his signing, making him an even more attractive target for power-hungry teams like the Orioles.
What’s next for the Mets?
For Pete Alonso, the move to Baltimore represents a fresh start with a rising contender. He leaves behind a legacy in New York that includes 264 career home runs and more RBIs (712) than any other player since his electrifying 2019 debut, where he set the MLB rookie record with 53 homers.
For the Mets, the questions are just beginning. How do you replace that kind of power in the middle of the lineup? More importantly, how does the front office explain to a frustrated fanbase why they didn’t even attempt to keep their biggest star? The departure of Pete Alonso isn’t just a roster change; it’s a shift that leaves a massive hole in the heart of the franchise.
