In about a month, pitchers and catchers will report to spring training camps across Arizona and Florida, and the (very) long journey that is the 2025 MLB season will begin. For free agents, spring training is something of a soft signing deadline. No one wants to be without a job when camp opens. Free agents want to know where they’re playing, where they’re going to live, etc.
Things don’t always work out that way though, even for big-name free agents. Last offseason, the Boras Four — Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell — did not sign until spring training opened. Bellinger signed about a week into camp and was the first to get a new deal. Montgomery, the last to sign, agreed to terms not long before Opening Day.
All four signed one-year contracts with large salaries and player options. Montgomery and Snell each received one player option while Bellinger and Chapman received two apiece. After the season, Montgomery and Bellinger picked up their 2025 player options. Chapman leveraged his into a long-term extension. Snell declined his and signed a large free-agent contract.
As spring training approaches, leverage begins to shift from the free agent to interested teams, and the odds increase that a player will sign a team-friendly short-term deal. Among the candidates for such a deal: Pete Alonso, longtime New York Mets first baseman and a Scott Boras client. In fact, it has been reported Alonso and Boras approached the Mets with such a deal. (Player options and opt outs are functionally the same thing. Tomato tomatoh.)
The salary terms are unknown — The Athletic speculated $34.1 million per year, which would break Miguel Cabrera’s average annual salary record for a first baseman ($34 million from 2016-23) — though odds are Alonso and Boras want to at least beat Bellinger’s deal. Bellinger’s contract was worth up to $80 million last offseason. That was the largest deal among the Boras Four.
For reasons we detailed in November, it is not the most surprising thing in the world that Alonso is having a hard time finding a contract to his liking this offseason. Free agency has been unkind to first basemen in their 30s the last decade or so and few big-spending contenders needed a first baseman or DH this offseason. Christian Walker’s availability didn’t help matters either.
Now 30, Alonso is second in home runs since his big league debut in 2019 (his 226 homers are six behind Aaron Judge) and he’s been supremely durable, playing 846 of 870 possible regular season games since 2019. Guys you can pencil in for 30-plus dingers and 150 games a year aren’t easy to find. And yet, Alonso remains unsigned with spring training about a month away.
Does a Bellinger-esque one-year contract with player options make sense for Alonso and Mets? What about Alonso and some other team? Let’s explore.
Why it makes sense for Alonso
There’s something to be said for being comfortable
Is Alonso going to get the massive $200-plus-million contract he presumably sought early in the offseason? No, almost certainly not, but he probably won’t have to stress out about next month’s mortgage payment either. Alonso has signed more than $40 million worth of contracts already in his career, and even a lower-end one-year deal with player options would pay him $20 million or so in 2025. He’s going to be just fine financially. Maybe not as fine as he hoped, but fine. Generations of Alonsos will be taken care of.
It’s worth it then to consider things other than money. Returning to the Mets means Alonso would remain with the only organization he’s played for, rejoin the coaches and teammates and clubhouse staff and security guards and parking lot attendants he already knows, and have as seamless a transition as possible heading into the new season. And, of course, Alonso would get to play for a contending team. The Mets were already good and now they have Juan Soto. Who doesn’t want to hit behind him?
It gives him the flexibility to give free agency another try
For all intents and purposes, a one-year deal with player options is a one-year deal with a series of insurance policies. The player options are there in case Alonso has a bad year or gets hurt, not because he may decide to forego a larger payday. For players in their prime, there is no such thing as a one-year contract. Carlos Correa was one of the first to hop on this trend when he signed with the Minnesota Twins (the first time). Player options are the cost of business now.
A one-year contract with player options would allow Alonso and Boras to survey the landscape and see what things looks like in a year or two, and make a decision. Also, Alonso would no longer be eligible for the qualifying offer because he received one this offseason. That removes draft-pick compensation, which can sometimes deter teams. Basically, a one-year deal with player options gives Alonso the security of a good payday while also giving him flexibility for the future, when the market could be more favorable.
He’s beloved in Queens
Sign with any other team and he’s Pete Alonso, Big Dinger Man. But, return to the Mets, and he’s Pete Alonso, Beloved Homegrown Player. He doesn’t have to win over Mets fans. He doesn’t have to “earn” his contract in their eyes. He’s done that already. Alonso has already connected with Mets fans in a way he simply won’t be able to connect with any other fan base.
Homegrown players have a special connection with their fan base, making life easier and less pressured heading into a new season. This is especially true for the Mets, who could benefit from adding a player like Juan Soto to their lineup. Soto’s presence would provide a significant offensive boost, filling a gap in the lineup that currently lacks depth beyond the top few spots. With Soto in the mix, the Mets could see their offensive production improve, especially with Pete Alonso potentially back in the lineup to provide more power.
Giving Alonso a short-term contract with player options makes sense for both parties. It limits the Mets’ risk of a long-term commitment to an aging player, while still allowing Alonso to capitalize on his marquee value and potentially secure a better deal in the future. Other teams may also benefit from signing Alonso to a short-term deal, as they can acquire a middle-of-the-order bat without the long-term commitment that often comes with signing older players. Ultimately, short-term deals for top players like Alonso can be a win-win for both parties involved. It appears that Alonso may be returning to the Mets on a favorable contract, with both parties showing interest in a one-year deal with player options. This would allow the Mets to keep a beloved player and strengthen their lineup without committing to a long-term contract. Despite initial hopes for a bigger payday, Alonso seems willing to compromise for the opportunity to continue playing in Queens. With spring training approaching, a one-year deal with player options may be the best outcome for all involved. This potential return would be a positive end to the offseason for the Mets.