The annual GM meetings in Las Vegas will set the tone for what’s next for the summer of 2026. For New York Mets GM David Stearns, one question lies at the top: what happens with the franchise’s home run king? The Citifield favorite became a free agent this summer, leaving fans and executives in the front office wondering if he’ll come back to Queens and, if so, under what conditions. As per industry insiders, the conditions are out.

Pete Alonso, the slugger who’s become synonymous with Mets power, finds himself at a crossroads with the front office. His contract projections hover around $147 million over four to five years, according to Spotrac.

That’s a significant commitment for any team, even one backed by owner Steve Cohen’s deep pockets. The timeline matters here—Alonso’s next deal will likely carry him through his early thirties, making this decision about more than just 2026.

The latest development adds another layer to the conversation. According to Andy Martino of SNY, as shared by SleeperMets on X, “David Stearns and Steve Cohen would be happy to welcome Pete Alonso back in 2026, but with an increase in at-bats as a designated hitter for the Mets.” The shift from first base to DH reflects the front office’s concerns. While Alonso’s bat remains strong, worries about his defense are leading the clubhouse to consider him as a future DH if he is re-signed.

His defensive stats at first base have dropped a lot over the past few years. Last season, he had a bad Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and Outs Above Average (OAA) scores of any eligible first baseman, with a score of -9. He can pick balls out of the ground well, but his throws aren’t very accurate, and he can’t throw very far to the side.

But not everyone sees a reunion as likely. Bob Nightengale wrote, “David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations, was ready to let Alonso walk last year. Alonso had a monster year but they still missed the playoffs, making it easier to walk away now. They are preaching defense or, in the words of Stearns, ‘run prevention,’ and are expected to let him depart unless he signs a deal they can’t turn down.”

That “run prevention” philosophy becomes clearer when examining Alonso’s defensive metrics, which tell a story that’s hard to ignore.

With Juan Soto’s defensive struggles already creating challenges on the right side of the field, the Mets face a real problem if Alonso stays planted at first base.

Here’s the thing—Alonso hasn’t spent much time as a DH. Over the past two seasons, he filled that role in just three games. The transition wouldn’t be seamless, and it represents a fundamental change in how he’d contribute to the team.

Alonso’s emotional connection with the clubhouse runs deep. “Every single day it’s been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue,” he said. His love for the Mets uniform is genuine, but 2026 brings uncertainty.

Will he wear those colors again, or will a different jersey hang in his locker come spring training? If the latter happens, how can the Mets utilize that money? They have plenty of options.

How the Mets could redeploy $147M toward roster wins

If the New York Mets opt not to commit to Pete Alonso fully, they might use the $147 million they save to make six moves that are all about winning the NL East. First, they could utilize that money to get Cody Bellinger, who has more power and defensive flexibility than Alonso. A trade-off that fits their stated desire to improve ‘run prevention.’

Next, the Mets may go after Josh Naylor at first base. This would let them use the rest of their money to improve their pitching and add depth to their team, rather than spending a lot of money on just a slugger. Another option is to go after Alex Bregman, which would put more focus on defense and overall value at the hot corner. This would align with their stated goal of improving the left side of the infield. Let’s not forget the pitching!

The front office can use the funds to re-sign closer Edwin Diaz instead of relying solely on offense to secure late-game leads. They could also acquire an ace starter to improve the rotation, freeing up Alonso’s salary to address starting pitching issues. Additionally, adding Kyle Schwarber would fill the power gap at DH or a corner position, providing more lineup flexibility beyond Alonso’s contract..

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The Mets could use Alonso’s money to enhance their team by improving defense, pitching, late-game reliability, and offensive productivity, thereby strengthening the club in multiple ways rather than solely seeking one long-term powerhouse.