There isn’t a doubt this 12 months’s free agent market has moved slower for place gamers than it has for pitchers. Whereas 17 pitchers have signed offers value no less than $5MM, solely 9 place gamers can say the identical – and 5 of them are catchers. Even with that in thoughts, the rumor mill has been surprisingly quiet for one high free agent particularly: All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso.
MLB Commerce Rumors ranked Alonso because the seventh-best free agent of the offseason on our annual High 50 Free Brokers listing. He was the highest first baseman obtainable and, arguably, the second-best pure hitter, behind solely Juan Soto. We predicted he’d signal a five-year, $125MM contract. But, we haven’t had many alternatives to put in writing about Alonso ever since. Over the previous six weeks, the Mets are the one group that has clearly and repeatedly expressed curiosity within the two-time Residence Run Derby champion. Their crosstown rivals are the one different group to be publically linked to Alonso.
Not so way back, Alonso would have been some of the sought-after free brokers in the marketplace, and his potential contract would have been a lot simpler to foretell. In spite of everything, he is among the strongest (and sturdy) hitters within the sport. He has averaged 43 residence runs and 112 RBI per 162 video games all through his profession. Nonetheless, groups take a look at much more than simply residence runs and RBIs as of late. They’re additionally much less more likely to pay for previous efficiency. Thus, as Alonso approaches his age-30 season coming off two consecutive down years, it’s not arduous to think about why groups is perhaps hesitant to satisfy his presumptive nine-figure calls for. Earlier this offseason, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco wrote about why Alonso’s contract was one of many hardest to foretell for the High 50 listing.
Even so, it’s not possible to disclaim that Alonso is among the premier energy hitters within the sport. Over the previous two seasons, down years by his personal requirements, Alonso ranks fifth amongst all hitters with 80 residence runs. His 121 wRC+ in that span is 21% higher than league common. Solely a handful of gamers are able to swinging the bat sooner or hitting the ball tougher than the Polar Bear. In different phrases, he’s nonetheless going to discover a profitable contract this winter, even when he has to attend slightly longer for his market to warmth up.
Let’s take a better take a look at each group’s possibilities of signing Alonso.
Possible Suitors (listed alphabetically)
Astros: The Astros freed up some payroll (roughly $8.9MM) by buying and selling star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs and taking over third baseman Isaac Paredes, amongst others, in return. Including Paredes gained’t essentially cease Houston from pursuing Alex Bregman, since Paredes might slide over to first base in deference to Bregman, the superior defender. Nonetheless, this commerce makes it extra probably the Astros will look so as to add a brand new first baseman as a substitute.
Houston has wanted a brand new first baseman since optioning and subsequently releasing José Abreu earlier this 12 months. The group has already expressed curiosity in Christian Walker, however Alonso may very well be one other goal, particularly if Bregman indicators elsewhere. The Astros reportedly provided Bregman a six-year, $156MM deal earlier this winter. It’s no shock Bregman turned that quantity down, however it might most likely be sufficient to land Alonso. That’s to not say the Astros could be keen to spend the identical quantity for Alonso as they might for Bregman, however no less than it means that GM Dana Brown has the required funds to get a deal accomplished.
Mets: The Mets have all the time appeared like robust contenders to retain their homegrown slugger. Though successful the Juan Soto sweepstakes might have diminished the stress on David Stearns to make every other huge additions to the offense, it’s not as if signing Soto precludes the Mets from re-signing Alonso. For one factor, the group’s projected payroll for 2025 remains to be far beneath the place it was in 2023 and ’24. There is perhaps a payroll quantity even Steve Cohen gained’t spend previous, however Stearns has tens of hundreds of thousands to work with earlier than that might probably develop into a problem.
Stearns additionally wants to consider how he’s going to deal with the holes at first base and DH that free brokers Alonso and J.D. Martinez left behind. Mark Vientos is an choice to play first, however he held the third base job in 2024. His protection was graded poorly there however the Mets may very well be higher off if Vientos can maintain down a extra useful defensive place. Final week, Cohen famous that the Mets are “nonetheless engaged” in contract discussions with Alonso.
Nationals: There’s a cause why Tim Dierkes, Anthony Franco, and Darragh McDonald all predicted Alonso would signal with Washington on our High 50 listing. A number of promising younger Nationals gamers took huge steps ahead in 2024. Maybe that may encourage possession and the entrance workplace to make an enormous splash this offseason because the Nats look to get again into rivalry. Keibert Ruiz is at the moment the one participant on the roster with a assured contract, and RosterResource estimates the membership’s 2025 payroll is at the moment $52MM decrease than the group’s ultimate payroll in 2024.
Moreover, first base is vast open in Washington. Joey Gallo and Joey Meneses, who mixed to play greater than 100 video games at first for the Nationals this previous season, are out of the group. Juan Yepez is the probably inner choice to play first base in 2025, however he has not accomplished sufficient over components of three huge league seasons to warrant an on a regular basis position. President of baseball operations Mike Rizzo has mentioned the membership is in search of middle-of-the-order bats and Alonso will surely match the invoice.
Yankees: Except for the Mets, the Yankees are the one different group to be credibly linked to Alonso. Early in November, Brian Cashman instructed Mike Puma of the New York Put up that he had spoken to agent Scott Boras about his slugging shopper. Nonetheless, MLB Community’s Jon Morosi just lately prompt the Yankees would like to signal a primary baseman on a shorter deal, describing Walker as “extra of a precedence.”
Nonetheless, it actually looks like Alonso remains to be on the desk within the Bronx. That ought to be true even after the Yankees acquired Cody Bellinger from the Cubs on Tuesday. Bellinger can play first base, however he’s extra helpful to the group within the outfield; he can play middle area, permitting Aaron Choose to maneuver again to proper. Thus, this group might nonetheless use a substitute for Anthony Rizzo at first. Ben Rice, who hit .171/.264/.349 over 50 video games in his rookie season, and DJ LeMahieu, who hit .204/.269/.259 in his age-35 marketing campaign, are at the moment one of the best in-house choices.
With a projected $270MM payroll for 2025 (per RosterResource), the Yanks are nonetheless about $33MM beneath their ultimate estimate from 2024. And whereas they’ve made a number of additions, together with Bellinger, Max Fried, and Devin Williams, they nonetheless have work to do to interchange an unimaginable expertise like Soto. That’s very true in the case of the offense.
Believable/On-Paper Darkish Horses
Blue Jays: The Blue Jays have cash to spend and a robust want so as to add star energy. Alonso isn’t on the identical stage as a few of Toronto’s high targets this winter (together with Soto, Fried, and Corbin Burnes), however presumably, the Blue Jays will hold attempting till they signal any individual in the event that they proceed to lose out on star free brokers. To that finish, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet studies that “Everybody within the [Blue Jays] group” believes the offense would look much more harmful with one other “official slugger.”
The one factor protecting the Blue Jays out of the “probably suitors” class is the truth that they have already got a celebrity first baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Nonetheless, the 2 might break up first and DH this coming 12 months with Alonso taking on at first if Guerrero leaves in free company following the 2025 season.
Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks had been top-of-the-line offensive groups in MLB this previous 12 months, however they misplaced two of their greatest hitters to free company in Walker and Joc Pederson. Alonso might assist to make up for a lot of that lacking manufacturing. Nonetheless, if the D-backs are certainly planning to maintain payroll at the same stage in 2025, they solely have about $24MM to spend, in line with the estimates from RosterResource. Which may not be sufficient for them to make a severe run at Alonso, particularly in the event that they’re planning to deal with every other areas of want this winter. Then once more, GM Mike Hazen might release some money if he can discover a strategy to offload Jordan Montgomery’s contract.
Giants: New president of baseball operations Buster Posey is clearly attempting to get the Giants again into rivalry as quickly as potential; he already signed Willy Adames and has expressed severe curiosity in Burnes as properly. Pitching will most likely stay his precedence even when he misses out on Burnes. Nonetheless, if Posey is contemplating Burnes, meaning he has the funds to make a run at Alonso. LaMonte Wade Jr. was San Francisco’s major first baseman in 2024, however the group is reportedly keen to make him obtainable in a commerce.
Reds: The Reds are the darkest horse right here. They don’t have a transparent gap at first base for Alonso, and it’s unclear how a lot they’re keen to spend this offseason. That mentioned, they may badly use the offense in the event that they need to contend in 2025. New supervisor Terry Francona might make room for Alonso at first by placing Spencer Steer in left area, Jeimer Candelario at third, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand at DH. And whereas Cincinnati’s entrance workplace hasn’t dedicated to growing payroll this winter, they haven’t outwardly shut down the likelihood both.
Tigers: Regardless of such a robust end in 2024, the Tigers haven’t given their fanbase a lot cause to imagine they’ll spend huge to enhance this winter. Nonetheless, if they will spend – they usually actually ought to – Alonso could be an amazing match for the lineup. POBO Scott Harris has acknowledged his group might use one other right-handed bat and that Spencer Torkelson’s job at first base is way from safe. A dependable righty bat like Alonso could be an enormous improve over Torkelson and a robust addition to a lefty-heavy Detroit lineup. Whereas the Tigers haven’t been huge spenders just lately, they’ve run larger payrolls within the not-so-distant previous.
Unlikely/Not Occurring
Angels: The Angels have been energetic this offseason, however first base doesn’t appear to be on the high of their precedence listing. Former first-round decide Nolan Schanuel was mediocre in his first full MLB season, however presumably, the Angels haven’t given up on the younger first baseman simply but. In the meantime, Jorge Soler is penciled in at DH, and Anthony Rendon, Mike Trout, and Travis d’Arnaud might see a while there as properly.
Athletics: The A’s might theoretically make room for Alonso at first base/DH by having Brent Rooker play extra outfield and Tyler Soderstrom catch extra usually, but it surely’s removed from an ideal match. Whereas this group may have to hold spending to keep away from an MLBPA grievance, there are higher makes use of for that cash.
Braves: With Matt Olson at first base and Marcell Ozuna as their designated hitter, the Braves don’t have any want or room for Alonso.
Brewers: The Brewers have been linked to no less than one veteran first baseman this offseason; in line with USA At the moment’s Bob Nightengale, they’re fascinated with Paul Goldschmidt. Nonetheless, they’re not often in play for costlier free brokers like Alonso. Milwaukee hasn’t signed a free agent for greater than $35MM or greater than three years since Lorenzo Cain in 2018. Even a modest splash on Goldschmidt may require them to dump the Rhys Hoskins contract.
Cardinals: Willson Contreras would be the Cardinals’ full-time first baseman going ahead. Even when that weren’t the case, St. Louis is extremely unlikely to signal any long-term contracts this winter.
Cubs: Chicago already made an enormous offensive addition this offseason, buying and selling for Tucker final week. With a purpose to make room for Alonso, the Cubs would probably need to commerce first baseman Michael Busch or presumptive DH Seiya Suzuki. After buying and selling Bellinger to the Yankees, there’s no indication they’re planning to do this.
Dodgers: The Dodgers want Alonso even lower than the Braves, due to their MVP first baseman Freddie Freeman and MVP DH Shohei Ohtani.
Guardians: On the uncommon events the Guardians have spent vital cash in free company, it has usually been for a defensively restricted slugger – assume Josh Bell, Yonder Alonso, and Edwin Encarnacion. That mentioned, a contract for Pete Alonso would simply be the most important this entrance workplace has ever handed out to a free agent. What’s extra, Alonso would solely slot in Cleveland if the group had been to commerce present first baseman Josh Naylor. It might appear counterproductive for the Guardians to deal Naylor and his projected $12MM wage solely to show round and signal Alonso.
Mariners: The Mariners are in search of a righty-batting first baseman, and Alonso will surely be a pleasant offensive improve for a group that struggled to attain runs in 2024. Nonetheless, their reported curiosity in gamers like Carlos Santana and Justin Turner suggests they aren’t available in the market for a much bigger free agent addition. The M’s is perhaps planning to extend payroll in 2025, however signing an enormous identify like Alonso nonetheless appears unlikely. They haven’t signed a free agent hitter to a contract value greater than $25MM since Nelson Cruz a decade in the past.
Marlins: Positive, the Marlins might use Alonso. They might use nearly each obtainable free agent. That mentioned, this group is extremely unlikely to pursue any free brokers who aren’t one-year stopgaps/veterans to flip on the commerce deadline.
Orioles: GM Mike Elias has already signed his slugger to interchange Anthony Santander, and he went with outfielder Tyler O’Neill. That leaves the O’s with a little bit of a logjam at first base/DH, the place Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, and Heston Kjerstad might all vie for enjoying time. Elias may make a commerce to clear that up, besides, Baltimore’s payroll is already considerably larger than it was final 12 months, and one other huge signing for the offense appears inconceivable.
Padres: The Padres have room for Alonso, particularly in the event that they commerce Luis Arraez, they usually might use an enormous bat to interchange Jurickson Profar. Nonetheless, POBO A.J. Preller is working beneath tight payroll constraints this winter. Even for Preller, who all the time appears to have a shock up his sleeve, Alonso doesn’t seem to be a practical goal.
Phillies: The Phillies fall into the Braves/Dodgers camp. Their two greatest hitters, Bryce Harper (1B) and Kyle Schwarber (DH), already occupy the one positions Alonso might fill.
Pirates: Just like the Nationals, the Pirates are an up-and-coming younger group with room for a veteran bat at first base. In contrast to the Nationals, nevertheless, the Pirates have by no means been huge gamers on the free agent market. There’s a superb likelihood they’re planning to run with current commerce acquisition Spencer Horwitz at first base in 2025.
Rangers: With the addition of Jake Burger, the Rangers don’t actually have room for Alonso within the lineup. Given their want to slip beneath the posh tax in 2025, they most likely don’t have the payroll house both. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe has come up in free commerce rumors this offseason, but it surely wouldn’t actually make sense for Texas to half with the cost-controlled Lowe to signal Alonso. Each gamers have been equally productive over the previous three years. Furthermore, the Rangers are reportedly looking for a left-handed bat. Buying and selling the lefty-batting Lowe to signal the righty-batting Alonso would solely set them again in that respect.
Rays: Even when the Rays had been lastly going to shock the baseball world and signal a high free agent to a nine-figure contract, Alonso most likely wouldn’t be their man. In response to wRC+, Tampa Bay’s cost-controlled first baseman Yandy Díaz has outperformed Alonso on the plate in every of the previous three seasons.
Pink Sox: Boston already has cash to spend however a cluttered first base and DH combine. Rafael Devers is a poor defender at third and the membership has thought-about shifting him over to first. However since they’ve Triston Casas there and Masataka Yoshida probably taking on numerous DH time, it’s led to rumors of Casas being obtainable on the buying and selling block. Signing Alonso could be an costly means of additional crowding that state of affairs.
Rockies: You may’t fully depend out the Rockies – that is the group that signed Kris Bryant to a $182MM deal only a few years in the past – however there isn’t a cause to imagine Colorado is in on any of the highest free brokers this 12 months. After Charlie Blackmon’s retirement, Bryant is more likely to get a lot of the reps at DH in 2025, whereas the Rockies certainly need to see what they’ve in Michael Toglia at first base.
Royals: The Royals might use the offense, however they’re extremely unlikely to spend what it would take to land Alonso. On high of that, they have already got a full-time first baseman in Vinnie Pasquantino. With gamers like Jonathan India and Salvador Perez already on the roster, Kansas Metropolis most likely isn’t in search of a full-time DH.
Twins: The Twins might use a primary baseman to interchange Carlos Santana, however Alonso is nearly certainly out of their worth vary. RosterResource already tasks their 2025 payroll to be $12MM larger than the ultimate estimate from 2024.
White Sox: Not taking place.
Picture courtesy of Imagn.
