The New York Mets had one of the most historic collapses in MLB, but that is in the past now. With the offseason here, the team will have the right chance to make better moves. So they will be looking to add a few pieces to the current core and make the team better. But some players like Pete Alonso want to test free agency, and if the reports are right for Alonso, this might backfire, very badly.

In the past day, it was confirmed that Pete Alonso has hit the free agency ground. But in a recent piece by The Athletic, it was revealed that this move might not benefit Alonso much. Senior writer, Tim Britton wrote, “Since I cover the Mets, I’ve been doing Alonso contract projections for years… Alonso will be 31 next year, hasn’t delivered the kind of peak, near-MVP performance… and still sits a rung below the production level of other first basemen who signed big-time contracts.”

Pete Alonso’s 2025 season was one of redemption and production for the New York Mets. He hit 38 home runs, drove in 126 runs, and led the National League with 41 doubles. His .272 batting average marked a career high, showing clear offensive improvement and consistency. Even as the Mets faltered late, Alonso’s bat remained one of the few constants keeping their lineup competitive.

When stacked against first basemen who signed major contracts, Alonso’s numbers sit between elite and mid-tier levels. Freddie Freeman posted a 15.8 fWAR across three seasons before his $162 million deal, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a 9.8 fWAR before signing his $500 million extension. Alonso’s three-year fWAR of 8.4 places him below that group but above players like Carlos Santana or Christian Walker. His power is undeniable, yet his limited defensive range keeps him from that top contractual tier.

Alonso’s decision to test free agency now shapes both his own market and the Mets’ immediate future. League executives see New York as his best fit, given his homegrown roots and strong chemistry with Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. Several teams could make offers, but matching the Mets’ familiarity and fit seems unlikely. If he leaves, Alonso risks chasing a contract that may not reflect his true on-field value.

For all the power Pete Alonso brings, timing might be his toughest opponent yet. Freddie Freeman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. cashed in when their stars were burning brightest. If Alonso misreads this market, he might learn that loyalty sometimes pays better than leverage.

If the Mets don’t get back Pete Alonso, where could he land a deal next?

Pete Alonso has done it again, packed his bat, hit the market, and left the Mets front office pretending they’re not sweating through their suits. It’s a familiar dance, only this time the music’s louder and the Polar Bear’s timing couldn’t be better. After a season that finally backed up his price tag, Alonso’s next stop could say a lot about who’s really buying power in baseball right now.

If Pete Alonso doesn’t return to the Mets, the Seattle Mariners appear to be the next logical fit. Their corner infield struggled badly in 2025, forcing midseason trades for Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor, who are both free agents now. Alonso’s .272 average, 38 home runs, and 126 RBIs make him an instant upgrade alongside Cal Raleigh’s consistent power. The Mariners finished middle of the pack in home runs, and his bat would fill that void.

Boston also stands out as a potential destination after Triston Casas’ ruptured patellar tendon left a major hole at first base. Alonso’s .893 OPS and three home runs in ten games at Fenway Park show his comfort there. His presence would add veteran balance to a young group featuring Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran. Unlike top-paid first basemen such as Freddie Freeman or Matt Olson, Alonso may not command record money, but his consistent production still makes him a strong addition.

Where Pete Alonso lands next will say as much about him as it does the Mets. Baseball never runs short of power, but true lineup anchors don’t hit the market often. If the Polar Bear wants a new home, plenty of teams will gladly build him a den.