BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – The Baltimore Orioles have made one of the offseason’s biggest splashes by securing a five-year, $155 million agreement with star first baseman Pete Alonso, marking a significant step in the franchise’s effort to rebound from a last-place finish in the AL East. Alonso, who just turned 31, brings prolific power and a long track record of production after seven standout seasons with the New York Mets. He hit .272 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs this past season, delivering his best OPS since his record-setting rookie campaign in 2019. Over his Mets tenure, he became synonymous with power hitting, setting the franchise home run record at 264 and earning five All-Star selections, including each of the last four seasons. Known affectionately as the “Polar Bear,” Alonso built a strong connection with fans and established himself as one of the sport’s premier sluggers.
His decision to join Baltimore comes after navigating a series of contract choices in recent years. Alonso signed a two-year, $54 million deal to stay with the Mets last winter but chose to opt out after 2024, walking away from the second year of that contract. He previously declined a seven-year, $158 million Mets extension in 2023, ultimately positioning himself for a more lucrative outcome. After meeting with multiple teams at the winter meetings in Florida, he secured his new long-term deal with the Orioles, a move celebrated across Maryland. The signing gives Baltimore a veteran run producer who immediately strengthens the heart of its batting order, complementing young stars like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jordan Westburg. Alonso’s arrival also reshapes the team’s depth chart at first base and designated hitter, potentially reducing opportunities for Ryan Mountcastle and prospect Coby Mayo.
For the Orioles, the addition of Alonso signals a shift toward more aggressive roster building after years of short-term commitments. While the club still needs to bolster a rotation that struggled to a 4.65 ERA last season, bringing in one of baseball’s most dependable power hitters demonstrates the organization’s willingness to compete for elite talent. The team has already added reliever Ryan Helsley and outfielder Taylor Ward earlier in the offseason, marking a series of moves aimed at reversing last year’s regression. Meanwhile, the Mets find themselves in transition after losing Alonso just one day after closer Edwin Díaz agreed to depart for a deal with Los Angeles, with additional roster shakeups such as the trade of Brandon Nimmo signaling a broader shift for a team that spent heavily but missed the postseason.
