After a substandard season in 2024, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso worked hard in the offseason to figure out why his swing got "out of control" in the regular season, per The Athletic's Will Sammon. Co-hitting coach Eric Chavez said Alonso learned the importance of his hips as a power source. Alonso has his hips in the right position before and during his swing, and Chavez said the power hitter has "actually learned how to hit." "It's the best I've ever seen him. I'm very, very optimistic that Pete is going to have a monster year," Chavez said. Ideally, the 30-year-old will both refine his swing and chase bad pitches less frequently. The four-time All-Star bounced back in the batting average department last year, but his .788 OPS was a career-low, and his 34 homers were his fewest in a full season in his career. Staying in New York is a positive for his fantasy value, and fine-tuning his swing mechanics could indeed return Alonso to an elite power guy.
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (face) is ok after being hit by a ball in the face. Alonso was hit in the face during an infield drill on Thursday morning but was able to return to action later in the afternoon. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. After being a free agent for the majority of the offseason, Alonso eventually resigned with the New York Mets. Earlier in February, Alonso signed a two-year $54 million contract. This deal includes an opt-out after the first season. Last season, the 30-year-old held a career-low .240/.329/.459 line with just 34 home runs and 88 RBI. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Alonso went deep at least 40 times and tallied at least 115 RBI in each campaign. Fantasy managers should expect Alonso to bat behind Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto in the everyday lineup, which should provide him with elite RBI opportunities that will set him up well for a bounce-back season.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Mets are re-signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a two-year deal worth $54 million. The contract contains an opt-out after the first season. Alonso has been in discussions with several teams during the offseason but will return to the Mets. The Blue Jays and Angels were among the teams that showed interest. During the offseason, the Mets signed superstar outfield Juan Soto to a record-breaking contract and will now bring back their first baseman as they pursue a championship. Alonso broke out at the MLB level during his first season and led the National League in home runs (53) en route to winning NL Rookie of the Year. This past season, Alonso had a down year by his standards and hit just 34 home runs with a .240/.329/.459 slash line. However, he generated a strong .461 xSLG, 13.2 percent barrel rate, and a 46.4 percent hard-hit rate, which suggests he should be poised to bounce back. Batting behind Francisco Lindor, Soto, and Brandon Nimmo should provide Alonso with elite RBI opportunities all season. He should be viewed as a top first baseman when looking for power and RBI upside.
According to Jon Heyman, the Cincinnati Reds could make a run at free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. Heyman noted that it is a "long shot" for the small market club to sign first baseman, but they could provide Alonso a short-term deal with opt-outs that could reward him, playing in a favorable hitters park. Throughout the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels have been in contact with Alonso. The Mets have also been in discussions with the 30-year-old in an attempt to bring him back to Queens. Last season, Alonso held a .240/.329/.459 slash line with 34 home runs. However, Alonso generated an impressive 13.2% barrel rate and a 46.4% hard-hit rate, which suggests that he could see some positive regression in 2025. Alonso hit at least 40 long balls during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring where Alonso signs but should draft him confidently, expecting a high home run output this season.
Pete Alonso, Mets Remain At Standstill In Contract Talks
According to Laura Albanese of Newsday, the New York Mets and free agent first baseman Pete Alonso remain at a standstill in current negotiations. At a recent fan event, owner Steve Cohen expressed he does not like the current structure of the offer and said, "If it stays this way, I think we have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with existing players." Earlier this offseason, the Mets began to pivot off Alonso as they signed outfielder Jesse Winker, who will likely take ground balls at first during spring training. In addition, third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty are also expected to take ground balls at first base, opening up the hot corner for Luisangel Acuna and Ronny Mauricio. The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels have emerged as some of the favorites to land Alonso. Last summer, the slugger hit 34 home runs with a .240/.329/.459 line.
According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, free agent first baseman Pete Alonso met with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week. Alonso has been linked to several teams during free agency, including the Toronto Blue Jays and even a potential reunion with the Mets. Ragazzo noted that negotiations between Alonso and the Blue Jays are "not close." If Alonso were to sign with Los Angeles, the team would have move to Nolan Schanuel to another position as Jorge Soler will likely be the team's designated hitter throughout most of the season. Last summer, Alonso saw his power production drop as he hit just 34 home runs with a .240/.329/.459 line. In 2023 and 2022, Alonso launched 46 and 40 long balls, respectively. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring this situation, as Alonso would bring a much-needed power bat to his new club.
New York Newsday's Tim Healey reports on Thursday that free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso is deep in contract talks with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. Healey also writes that he'll believe an Alonso/New York Mets breakup only when he sees it. Alonso's free-agent market has been frigid this winter, with all signs initially pointing to him eventually re-signing with the Mets. However, New York already made a "last-ditch effort" to bring the 30-year-old right-handed slugger back on a three-year deal for around $68-70 million, which he rejected. Despite already signing outfielder Anthony Santander, Toronto hasn't ruled out adding Alonso. If Alonso were to sign with the Blue Jays, he would likely split first base and designated hitter duties with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and it would give Toronto yet another big-time power bat for the middle of their batting order. Stay tuned.
Blue Jays Remain Interested In Pete Alonso And Jurickson Profar
According to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, the Toronto Blue Jays are still targeting top bats on the market, including first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielder Jurickson Profar. Earlier this week, the Blue Jays signed outfielder Anthony Santander to a hefty five-year $92 million contract. However, given that the team was willing to spend on Juan Soto, Feinsand believes the team remains at the top of free-agent discussions. Pete Alonso has been linked to Toronto throughout most of the winter, and given that the Mets have begun to pivot in another direction, Toronto may be the favorite. Profar has had several suitors, including the Braves, but Toronto is reportedly looking to improve their outfield further. Alonso would bring another high-upside power bat to their lineup, while Profar will bring 20+ HR upside with elite on-base skills.
According to Scott Mitchell of TSN Sports, free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso is still "in play" for the Toronto Blue Jays. Earlier on Monday, the Blue Jays signed outfielder Anthony Santander to a five-year deal worth $92.5 million, but the team remains focused on further improving their team. Earlier in the offseason, the Blue Jays were at the forefront of several free-agent discussions, including Juan Soto and Roki Sasaki, but fell short in both bids. However, it appears the Blue Jays are willing to continue to improve their roster in hopes of competing in 2025. If Alonso were to sign with the Blue Jays, this would likely move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a full-time role at the hot corner. Despite hitting just 34 home runs in 2024, Alonso boasted a stellar 13.2% barrel rate and 46.4% hard-hit rate, which suggests he should be due for some positive regression in 2025. Alonso would bring another high-upside power bat to the heart of the Toronto lineup.
Pete Alonso Declines Three-Year Contract From The Mets
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso rejected a three-year contract from the Mets. Sherman noted that the offer was for around $68-$70 million and was a "last-ditch" effort by the Mets to keep him in Queens. However, the slugger turned the offer down, encouraging the team to pursue other options. Earlier on Thursday, the Mets signed outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker to a contract. According to Sherman, the current plan for the Mets is to shift third baseman Mark Vientos to first base and have Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty, and Luisangel Acuna compete for opportunities at the hot corner. Alonso saw his power production drop slightly last season, as he just 34 home runs, compared to the 46 and 40 he hit during the 2023 and 2022 campaigns, respectively. Sources have suggested that the Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as one of the favorites to sign Alonso.