Baltimore, Maryland. — Slugger Pete Alonso, known in Major League Baseball as “The Polar Bear,” would have reached a five-year, $155 million agreement with the Baltimore Orioles, according to a source cited by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The club has not yet confirmed the information.
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The deal becomes one of the most significant moves of the winter market, marking Alonso's definitive departure from the Mets after opting out of his contract at the end of the 2025 season.
A Strategic Free Agency Process
Alonso, a Tampa native and graduate of the University of Florida, returned to free agency after a productive 2025 season. After returning to the Mets with a two-year, US$54 million contract —which included an opt-out clause— the first baseman decided to test the market again after increasing his value in his 30-year-old season.
The slugger couldn't receive a qualifying offer for the second consecutive time, which facilitated his signing by not involving Draft selection compensation or penalty for the Orioles.
Elite Production and Exceptional Durability
Alonso comes from a campaign in which he was called to the All-Star Game for the fifth time and concluded with
38 home runs, 41 doubles, 126 RBIs, and an OPS of .871, recovering notably after a 2024 below his standard.
His advanced metrics continue to place him among the MLB elite: he was in the 96th percentile or better in exit velocity, hard-hit rate, barrels, expected slugging, and expected wOBA.
Since his debut in 2019, Alonso has established himself as one of the most consistent sluggers in the game. He has accumulated
264 home runs, the third-highest amount in that period, and has
712 RBIs, more than any other player since 2019. He hasn't missed a game since 2023 and has played in 1,008 of the last 1,032 possible games.
In August 2024, he became the
all-time home run leader in Mets history, surpassing Darryl Strawberry, and has also won the Home Run Derby twice (2019 and 2021).
Successes in the postseason
Alonso has shown his power in the playoffs, recording an
OPS of 1.003 with five home runs in 16 games. In 2024, he starred in one of the most memorable swings in the recent history of the Mets, with a three-run home run against Devin Williams in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, in a game that saved New York's season.
That moment seemed to mark the end of his time with the organization, especially after the million-dollar signing of Juan Soto. However, the arrival of the agreement with the Orioles confirms that the chapter of the "Polar Bear" in Queens has come to an end.
The Impact on Baltimore
With this signing, the Orioles add one of the most feared power hitters in MLB to a young, rising lineup. Alonso will have to provide leadership, presence in the middle of the batting order, and stability at first base for a team looking to establish itself as a long-term contender in the American League.
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