Alonso to opt out of contract, re-enter free agency

MIAMI -- After the Mets crashed out of playoff contention with a 4-0 loss to the Marlins on Sunday in their final game of the season, first baseman Pete Alonso said he will opt out of the final year and $24 million on his contract.

That decision had been all but inevitable since Alonso signed a two-year, $54 million contract to return to the Mets in February. His deal was front-loaded with a $30 million salary in 2025, making the decision easier. Alonso turned down a qualifying offer from the Mets last season, but he is ineligible for one this season per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which could open up his market without being attached to Draft pick compensation.

The act of opting out, Alonso stressed, does not indicate a desire to play somewhere else. It is simply a lever for him to earn more guaranteed money on the open market.

“Nothing is guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens,” Alonso said. “I’ve loved being a Met. Hopefully, they’ve appreciated me the same.”

Despite inconsistencies over the summer, Alonso’s 2025 campaign was, statistically, one of his best. Playing in all 162 games for the second consecutive season, Alonso slashed .272/.347/.524 with 38 homers. He tied for the National League lead with 41 doubles and was second with 126 RBIs. Along the way, Alonso became the Mets’ home run king, passing Darryl Strawberry in August with his 253rd career homer and later extending that mark to 264.

“We’ll see what happens with everything,” Alonso said. “Again, there’s no guarantees. But I’ve appreciated it here. The fans have been awesome. I’ve grown up in this organization, and what I’ve done here, I’m really proud of the mark I’ve left. I want to be the best teammate and the best player I can possibly be -- not just for the people here, but for the franchise and for the fans. It would be great, but we’ll see what happens.”

Last year, despite his track record, Alonso found his free-agent market lacking, as several potential suitors pursued cheaper options. With few realistic alternatives remaining in January, Alonso ultimately re-signed with the Mets on a shorter-term deal than he had been seeking.

Entering his age-31 season, Alonso will surely be looking for more years this time around. It remains to be seen if owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns will comply, though as teammate Brandon Nimmo put it, “I’m sure the Mets will be in contact with him a lot.”

“The biggest thing is I want to win,” Alonso said. “I know we didn’t this year, but we had the right pieces, I think. We just didn’t do it. At the beginning of the year, you just want to have the best possible chance to hold up the trophy at the end and see yourself being a champion. That’s why I do this. I want to be on top of the mountain. I want to win a World Series. For me, that’s the ultimate goal.”

Alonso headlines a laundry list of decisions the Mets will need to make over the offseason. Edwin Díaz can also opt out of the final two years and $37 million on his contract, but the closer said he won’t make that decision before consulting with his family.

Díaz produced another stellar season as the Mets’ closer, saving 28 games with a 1.63 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. He blew just three save opportunities.

“I love this organization,” Díaz said. “They treat me really, really good -- my family and everything. If I decide to opt out, I would love to come back.”