Baltimore has secured Alonso with a substantial five-year contract worth $155 million, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. This signing wraps up the chase for the Polar Bear and concludes his impactful seven-year tenure with the New York Mets.
According to Joel Sherman from the Post, the agreement includes no opt-outs or deferrals, reflecting the Orioles’ determination to finalize the deal swiftly.
Alonso is coming off a season that showcased his peak performance. He slammed 38 home runs and maintained a .272/.347/.524 batting line. Remarkably, he played in all 162 games and led the National League with 41 doubles. Now at 31, he entered free agency as one of baseball’s most sought-after sluggers after opting out post-World Series.
During his visit to Orlando for the winter meetings, Alonso met with several teams, but the Mets were notably absent from those discussions. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed earlier this month the organization’s desire to retain Alonso, highlighting his reliability and crucial role in their lineup.
This effort wasn’t sufficient. This marks the second consecutive offseason Alonso entered the market after signing a two-year, $54 million extension last February, which included an opt-out clause.
Alonso debuted with the Mets in 2019, setting the MLB rookie home run record with 53 homers. He leaves New York as a five-time All-Star and the current Silver Slugger awardee at first base.
This agreement means Alonso has found his new home, the Orioles have secured a formidable bat, and the Mets are facing a substantial transformation in their infield.
