Pete Alonso headlines a potential Mets reunion, but other options are on the table
ORLANDO, Fla. — About 70 miles from the Winter Meetings hub in southwest Orlando, Pete Alonso resides in Tampa and plans to drive east on Tuesday to meet with interested teams, including the Orioles and Red Sox, a source confirmed.
The Mets will not be among the clubs Alonso visits, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns, though that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not pursuing him. “Pete knows us well, and we know Pete well,” Stearns said. “He’ll likely take time to meet with organizations he doesn’t know as well, and I’m sure we’ll stay in touch.”
The scene echoes the 2022 Winter Meetings in San Diego, when free agent Brandon Nimmo — another Boras client — publicly met with the Yankees and Giants. Nimmo ultimately re-signed with the Mets for $162 million, though he did not engage publicly with his own club during that week. While Alonso’s situation isn’t identical, the Mets seem to be handling this offseason differently than last year, when negotiations with Alonso didn’t gain real momentum until late January and culminated in a two-year, $54 million deal that he opted out of after one season.
Stearns has stressed that re-signing Alonso is a priority. “How much do I want him? Of course I want him,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He can post everyday production without worrying about who’s at first base or where he’ll hit in the lineup. He earned his free agency, and he’s going through the process now. David has been very vocal about how much we want him.”
But the Mets aren’t boxed into “Alonso or bust.” There are other paths. Rumors have linked the team to longtime Phillies star Kyle Schwarber, a designated-hitter-type with substantial power. Stearns has also personally scoped Munetaka Murakami of Japan, whom he called “exciting for American fans to watch.” A move for a prolific outfielder such as Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger could lessen the immediate need for a premier first-base bat.
Alonso, however, occupies a special place with local fans. He’s been a Met for seven seasons and holds the organization’s single-season and career home run records. A long-term re-signing would likely cement his place in Mets lore, potentially extending his No. 20 name atop the stadium and helping the team chase another World Series victory in Flushing.
What ultimately drives the decision remains to be seen. Stearns has already shown willingness to act decisively, having traded Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien. Could the same bold approach apply to Alonso if it serves the larger plan? Might owner Steve Cohen step in and push for a reunion?
For now, Stearns isn’t tipping his hand, allowing Alonso to navigate the market. The Mets’ recent track record under Cohen suggests they can still swoop in late, matching or surpassing opponents when a deal matters most, especially for a player as pivotal as Alonso.
“As I’ve said all along, Pete is a great Met, and we’d love to have him back,” Stearns said. “Pete has shown he’s among the elite offensive players in baseball, performing consistently at a high level for us. That makes him a priority for any organization, and it certainly is for us.”
Would you prefer a clean, homegrown rebuild with Alonso as the centerpiece, or a strategic pivot toward external stars to maximize a championship window? Share your take in the comments.
