Pete Alonso Free Agency News Emerges on Monday

"In the early days of the offseason, a perception has seemed to congeal that Alonso is a goner, and that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns does not want him," he wrote. "The former is inaccurate because it is way premature. The latter is inaccurate because … well, it just is."

"My hunch is that both Stearns and [owner Steve] Cohen would be happy to welcome Alonso back in 2026, albeit with a significant increase in at-bats as designated hitter...The complications begin when we talk about the term," he continued. "It’s hard to imagine an increased willingness to offer Alonso four or five years, now that he is 12 months older."

Will Mets Pay Pete Alonso Market Value?

While Martino mentioned that New York may be hesitant to hand Alonso a long-term deal, USA Today's Bob Nightengale previously reported that the club won't re-sign him unless he takes a contract it can't turn down. He also said that general managers are predicting the slugger will land with the Boston Red Sox.

Nightengale's tone was more aggressive than Martino's, but both reported that finances are at the center of why the Mets may not bring Alonso back. The former NL Rookie of the Year has a market value of five years, $147.2 million ($29.4 million average annual salary), per Spotrac, and they could use that money on pitching instead.

New York finished 18th in baseball with a 4.03 team ERA in 2025, per MLB.com. That's primarily why it missed the postseason despite finishing sixth with a .753 OPS, so it would be smarter to prioritize free-agent hurlers this offseason rather than an aging first baseman.