Alonso seeking at least a 7-year deal in free agency (report)
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After a limited market forced slugger Pete Alonso to take a short-term deal to return to the Mets just before Spring Training, Alonso is not eager to relive the 2024-25 offseason.
According to a report from the New York Post, the 30-year-old Alonso is seeking at least a seven-year deal in free agency. That would align closely with contracts Alonso's agent, Scott Boras, negotiated for Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman at the same age.
After signing a 2-year, $54 million deal in February with an opt-out after the first season, Alonso played all 162 games for the second straight season. He batted a career-best .272 with 38 home runs, 41 doubles and 126 RBIs.
After the Mets were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the regular season, Alonso said he would trigger the opt-out and become a free agent for the second straight offseason.
The Mets cannot extend a qualifying offer to Alonso for a second straight time, so any team looking to sign the first baseman won't have to worry about forfeiting a Draft pick. The qualifying offer, and the attached Draft pick, likely limited the market for Alonso last offseason.
Alonso will hit free agency again after a much-improved season than potential suitors were evaluating last offseason, when Alonso was coming off career full-season lows of 34 homers and 88 RBIs.
In August, Alonso became the Mets' career home run leader when he hit his 253rd to surpass Darryl Strawberry. He extended the record to 264 by the end of the season.
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Alonso will take those accolades into the offseason to look for a contract that will take him into his late 30s, by which time he could be a full-time designated hitter. Alonso believes his production, not just in 2025 but over his seven-year career, warrants a more secure future than what he was offered last offseason.
“I think I have done that every year,” Alonso said in the regular season's final week. “Every year I have thought I have been real productive. Every year I have played at a high level. This year is no different.”