Five Teams That Could Sign Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso will soon be a free agent again when he declines his 2026 player option after the World Series. Last year, Alonso’s offseason saw sparse interest from teams in giving him a long-term guaranteed deal over nine figures. So, the 30-year-old first baseman returned to his creature comforts in New York on essentially a one-year deal, allowing him to become the Mets’ franchise leader in home runs before hitting the market again.

He responded with one of the best seasons of his seven-year career, mashing 38 more homers, knocking in 129 runs, slashing .272/.347/.524/.871, and hitting a career-high 41 doubles. However, his defense has fallen well below average, where he hovered to start his career, and will likely need to DH more full-time the later he gets in his upcoming contract.

Alonso is already rumored to be looking for a seven-year deal, which is probably a good place to start if he’s going to end up with a contract in the four-to-six-year range. His final contract will likely be nine figures. That means that half the league will probably not dabble in these waters, though the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and others could use Alonso’s services. Plus, Scott Boras is his agent, so he wouldn’t leverage those teams against the Mets, either.

So let’s look at five teams who could—and would be willing to spend to get him.

New York Mets

Of course, the Mets are still interested in bringing their franchise leader in home runs back. David Stearns said as much in his season-ending press conference. Now, for how much? That is the question. At one-year and $30 million, it was a no brainer. At six years and $150 million, though? Stearns has preached needing to get better at run prevention, and Alonso was the worst fielding first baseman by just about every metric (Outs Above Average, Defensive Runs Saved, range, etc.). His current replacement on the roster (Mark Vientos) didn’t inspire confidence this year, and it’s unclear when Ryan Clifford would be MLB ready.

I could see a world where the Mets bring Alonso back if he cuts down his time playing in the field in half, but will he be agreeable to that? We’ll see. However, outside of Alonso, the first-base market doesn’t inspire confidence, so it might behoove the Mets to seriously consider paying their homegrown star this time around.

Boston Red Sox

After Triston Casas started the year extremely slow then suffered a season-ending knee injury, the Red Sox had a rotating cast of Nathaniel Lowe, Abraham Toro, and others play first. (Remember, Rafael Devers wouldn’t after the team told him he’d be a DH full-time, then he was traded.) There’s no clear replacement at first either for Casas, whose injury may last into 2026. (Kristian Campbell needs to prove himself at the MLB level, and first isn’t his natural position.)

First base was the team’s worst position group, and they’re in desperate need of power hitters. Alonso would be a great match, and with an increased willingness to spend, the Red Sox could be in play.

New York Yankees

The Yankees somehow got 534 healthy plate appearances out of Paul Goldschmidt this year, and he put up modest numbers on a one-year deal at 37 years old. However, he’s not the long-term solution. It hurts to say, but Alonso could be. His power would play in the short right field, the limelight of New York doesn’t phase him, and the Yankees, coming off another disappointing year, could use Alonso’s durability.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds fought hard this year for a playoff spot under Terry Francona, who was in his first year managing the team. However, they’re a squad full of youth that lacks power in a hitter-friendly park. Plus, they have plenty of at-bats to go around for a designated hitter and first baseman. (Spencer Steer, though a quality defensive first baseman, has plenty of experience at other positions.)

Rumors circulated by local columnists that the Reds should look for someone like Alonso this offseason. If they’re willing to crawl at all out of being a bottom 10 team in payroll year-over-year, Alonso would add some juice to the fan base and the lineup.

Arizona Diamondbacks

After losing Paul Goldschmidt a couple of years ago, the D’backs replaced him with Christian Walker, who left last offseason to go to Houston. They patched it together with Josh Naylor, who was traded at the deadline, and Pavin Smith, who can’t stay on the field. The durable Alonso could be the guy they need to replace Eugenio Suarez‘s power and give length to the lineup behind Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll.