The New York Mets and free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso are still in discussions for a potential reunion, but it sounds like they’ve hit a roadblock.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, “The sticking point between the Mets and Alonso could very well be years, as sources say that the Mets may be hesitant to go more than three years with the first baseman.”
Feinsand also that the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles “remain the favorites” to land Alonso alongside the Mets.
Alonso has spent his entire major-league career with the Mets, but he declined a $24 million player option for the 2026 season to become a free agent. It’s his second straight year on the open market, and he’s surely hoping to secure a long-term deal this time around.
Alonso could have more leverage in negotiations after his stellar 2025 campaign. He was named to the All-Star Game for the fifth time in his career before finishing the season with a .272 batting average, 38 home runs and 126 RBI, the latter of which ranked second in MLB.
The Mets are reeling from the loss of star closer Edwin Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the back-to-back reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The contract gives Diaz the record for average annual value for a reliever, and it surpassed the Mets’ offer of three years and $66 million.
Re-signing Alonso would surely improve the morale in New York after Diaz’s defection. However, it appears that there’s still some work to be done on both sides before his return to the Mets becomes official.
