MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 02: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot park on April 02, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
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On December 9, the New York Mets lost closer Edwin Diaz in free agency to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On December 10, it is being reported that slugger Pete Alonso has accepted a free agent contract with the American League Baltimore Orioles.
As of this writing, the deal is in place, but Alonso must pass a physical before the deal can be finalized.
The right-handed hitting Alonso, 31, has accepted a five-year, $155M contract with Baltimore.
The Orioles tried to land free agent first baseman Kyle Schwarber, but he signed a five-year, $150M contract to return to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Yes, Alonso will receive $5M more over the life of the contract with the Orioles.
New Orioles Lineup:
According to Fangraphs.com, the new Orioles lineup will look like this:
Jackson Holliday-2B
Jordan Westburg-3B
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Pete Alonso-1B
Adley Rutschman-C
Taylor Ward-LF
Dylan Beavers-RF
Colton Cowser-CF
Samuel Basallo-DH
OF Tyler O’Neill, 1B Ryan Mountcastle, INF/OF Jeremiah Jackson, and OF Leody Taveras may also fit in the lineup as platoon players.
This offseason, the Orioles have added Alonso, Ward, and Taveras as free agents. They haven’t had to give up any players from their 40-man roster to acquire three impressive bats.
The Orioles finished in last place in the American League East last season. They compiled a 75-87 record, and finished 19 games behind the New York Yankees in the division.
To this old scout, it remains possible Baltimore will be willing to trade the right-handed hitting Mountcastle, who is still only 28-years-old, and can play the outfield as well as first base. He may also be an upgrade for a team at first base.
FILE – New York Mets’ Pete Alonso returns to the dugout after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sept. 23, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
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Alonso is 6-3, 245 pounds, with excellent strength throughout his frame.
Pete Alonso was a 2nd round pick of the New York Mets in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.
Selected out of the University of Florida, Alonso received a $909,200 signing bonus from the Mets.
A coveted right-handed power hitter, Alonso has hit 264 home runs with the Mets in parts of seven MLB seasons.
In 2019, his rookie year, Alonso hit 53 homers, and drove in 120 runs. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year.
Alonso’s only season with fewer that 30 home runs was 2020, when MLB was shut down due to the COVID pandemic.
Alonso was an All Star in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and again last season, in 2025. He has been an All Star in five of his seven Mets seasons.
Alonso won a National League Silver Slugger Award in 2025, his first such award.
In 2022, Alonso hit 40 home runs, and drove in 131 runs.
This past season with the Mets, Alonso hit .272/.347/.524/.871, with 41 doubles (a career best) one triple, a career best 41 homers, while driving in 126 runs in 709 plate appearances.
Alonso has remained healthy throughout his career, allowing him to put up outstanding numbers as a consequential, impactful slugger in the middle of the lineup.
DENVER, CO – JULY 12: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets speaks to the media after winning his second straight home run derby title during the 2021 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Coors Field on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Alonso has won two Major League Baseball All Star Home Run Derby contests, in 2019 and 2021.
Only Hall of Famer Ken Griffey has won more Home Run Derbies, having won three times.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 26: A detailed view of the Baltimore Orioles logo on a baseball helmet during game two of a doubleheader between the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park on April 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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The Orioles are getting a game-breaking slugger with a history of good health and an ability to hit drive in runs.
Left field at Camden Yards in Baltimore should play well for the right-handed hitting Alonso.
Pete Alonso should bring tremendous value to the Orioles as they try to become more competitive in the American League East.
Probably of the greatest significance, is the fact Alonso has left the New York Mets for a new start, with a new team, in a new league.
The birds are flying high. They have just landed one of the most impactful power hitters in Major League Baseball.