Alonso returning to Mets on two-year, $54 million deal (source)

NEW YORK -- An offseason defined by Pete Alonso's will-he-or-won't-he decision to return to the Mets came to a predictable end on Wednesday, when Alonso agreed to a short-term deal to remain in Flushing. The contract is for two years and $54 million with a player opt-out after this season, according to a source. The Mets have not confirmed it because it's not yet official.

With that move, the Mets effectively completed a banner offseason that saw them sign Juan Soto, reconstruct their rotation and, now, prevent a modern franchise icon from leaving.

Alonso has been a Met since the team selected him in the second round of the 2016 Draft. Three years later, he hit a Major League rookie-record 53 homers and won the first of his two Home Run Derbies. Last year, Alonso provided even more impact, hitting a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning of National League Wild Card Series Game 3 against Brewers closer Devin Williams to change both the Mets' narrative arc and his own career storyline.

Along the way, Alonso reportedly rejected a seven-year, $158 million extension offer to remain in Flushing long-term. Instead, he held out for free agency, which didn't prove as lucrative as he had hoped. After reportedly rejecting a three-year contract worth around $70 million and flirting with other clubs (prompting team owner Steve Cohen to call negotiations with Alonso and agent Scott Boras “exhausting”), Alonso finally agreed to a two-year deal. That pact includes a $10 million signing bonus and is worth $20 million in 2025, plus -- if Alonso opts in -- another $24 million in 2026.

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The Mets had also put a three-year, $71 million contract on the table, according to a source, but Alonso rejected it because he preferred the higher first-year value of the two-year deal. That will ensure him more money should he choose to opt out after 2025.

It’s a short-term reunion that allows both sides to remain flexible. And it came just in time, exactly a week before the official start of Spring Training. Alonso’s pact all but finalizes the Mets’ roster heading into camp, adding him to a group of multi-million dollar signings including Soto, Jesse Winker, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes, A.J. Minter and Ryne Stanek.

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With Alonso back at his customary position of first base, Mark Vientos no longer must worry about a move across the diamond. Instead, Vientos will reprise his role at third base, pushing Luisangel Acu?a and Brett Baty either to the bench or to the Minors. Vientos is coming off a breakout season at third, where his strong throwing arm is more of a factor than it would be on the right side of the infield.

Alonso, meanwhile, has been a steady if below-average defender at first base throughout his career, at least somewhat making up for his lack of range with a proclivity for picking balls out of the dirt.

But more than anything, he is a power hitter. Even in a down year in 2024, in which his slugging percentage decreased for a third consecutive season, Alonso still rated in the 93rd percentile in the Majors in bat speed and in the 89th percentile in barrel percentage, according to Statcast metrics. He's never hit fewer than 34 homers in a full season. He also brings right-handed balance back to New York’s lineup, particularly with the left-handed Soto now central to the offense.

Most days, Carlos Mendoza’s lineup should feature a potent top half, with Alonso joining Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Soto and Vientos in some order that might look like this against a right-hander:

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Pete Alonso, 1B
4. Brandon Nimmo, LF
5. Mark Vientos, 3B
6. Jesse Winker/Starling Marte, DH
7. Francisco Alvarez, C
8. Jeff McNeil, 2B
9. Tyrone Taylor/Jose Siri, CF

Although Alonso did not sign a long-term deal like Lindor, Nimmo or Soto, his contract still all but ensures he will become the Mets’ all-time home run king. Alonso (226) currently sits third on that list, trailing only Darryl Strawberry (252) and David Wright (242).

That’s partially due to Alonso’s durability; he has played in at least 152 games in each of his first five full big league seasons. Not only is he the franchise's consecutive games leader, recently setting and extending that record to 253 in a row, but Alonso may soon become the 11th player to appear in at least 1,000 career games with the Mets.