ORLANDO, FL — The New York Mets suffered another blow at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings on Wednesday with Pete Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles agreeing to a deal. One day after the Mets lost Edwin Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers, they saw another gaping hole open up at first base with the departure of the Polar Bear.
Five-years and 155 million dollars later and Alonso got the long-term contract he was seeking for years.
It shouldn’t have been assumed that Alonso, 31, of Tampa, Florida, would return to Queens just because of the departure of the Puerto Rican flamethrower in Díaz.
The Mets lost two fan favorites in Edwin Díaz (Dodgers on Tuesday) and Pete Alonso (Orioles on Wednesday) in back-to-back days this week – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
New York Post reporter Mike Puma weighed in on the situation on Tuesday, which was the day before Alonso was signed by the Orioles.
“I think they are in an independent situation, just knowing the way (David) Stearns kind of operates,” Puma told Latino Sports.
Puma also asked Mets manager Carlos Mendoza prior to the signing about what Alonso meant to the Mets and how badly he’d want him back with the organization.
“I texted a couple of times with him, but I’m also respecting his space. How bad do I want him? Of course, I want him, he’s a guy that’s playing every day. When you don’t have to worry about who is playing in the middle of the lineup at first base every day, you can’t beat that, ” Mendoza told Puma and the surrounding media.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza speaking to the press earlier this week at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida – Image Credit: MLB
The Mets were in the same exact situation with Alonso last year and were able to re-sign him on a two-year deal for $54 million with an opt-out after 2025, which he exercised as the season concluded.
“He earned it, and he’s going through the process right now,” Mendoza added. “Stearns has been vocal about how much he wants him, and we’ll see what happens.”
Alonso’s bat will be missed in the orange and blue lineup, but he did give the Amazin’ a forever moment when he passed Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record of 252 home runs on August 12th against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.
Alonso ended up hitting 12 more homers, and now leaves the Mets after seven seasons with 264 career blasts.
Additionally, he has recorded 726 RBI (third-most in Mets franchise history behind David Wright and Mike Piazza) and a career slash line of .253/.341/.516 in 3,763 at-bats.
MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi talked about the Mets’ loss of Alonso with Latino Sports shortly after the news broke in Orlando:
“They have work to do, and there are a number of different ways that they can pivot. I think (Cody) Bellinger is the perfect fit for them because they have an opening in left field and first base.”
Cody Bellinger may be an option for the Mets as they look to pivot after the loss of Pete Alonso (1B) in free agency and Brandon Nimmo (LF) in a trade with Texas – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
For the Orioles, Alonso makes for a huge addition to their lineup as they look to rebound from a disappointing season and compete in an ultra-competitive American League East. The O’s offered a similar deal to Philadelphia’s designated hitter, Kyle Schwarber, only to see him return to the Phillies for $150 million across five years. This time, Baltimore got their guy and still has work to do in the starting pitcher market.
Morosi also mentioned free agent Alex Bregman as a surprise possibility for the Mets. Other free agents he liked as fits were left-handers Ranger Suárez (Venezuela) and Framber Valdez (Dominican Republic).
Ranger Suárez has many suitors interested in him after the left-hander posted a 3.20 ERA in 2025 with 151 strikeouts over 26 outings – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Detroit Tigers back-to-back AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, and Washington Nationals All-Star MacKenzie Gore were also mentioned via the trade route.
Unfortunately for the Mets and their fans, the 2025 Winter Meetings will not be remembered for what the front office did, but for what they didn’t do.
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
