Pete Alonso’s value to the New York Mets is undeniable. Despite a season that some may see as underwhelming, he still secured an All-Star nod and produced more runs than most of the league’s first basemen. Alonso’s impending free agency has been a topic of discussion throughout the year, fueled by speculation that he could be traded midseason—a rumor put to rest when a certain purple mascot made a ceremonial first pitch, signaling that Alonso was staying put.
As one of the premier free agents this winter, Alonso will undoubtedly be pursued by several teams. The Mets would love to keep him, but with the possibility of Juan Soto joining and taking up a substantial portion of the payroll, other teams willing to offer Alonso more could pose a real threat. Here are five teams that could make a strong push for the slugger.
1) New York Yankees
Starting with the worst-case scenario for Mets fans: Pete Alonso in pinstripes. While Mets and Yankees management have historically avoided poaching each other’s stars, this situation could be different from the Aaron Judge sweepstakes. When Judge hit free agency, it was never realistic for the Mets to chase him. Steve Cohen and his front office quickly bowed out of any pursuit. This time, however, the Yankees won’t be so courteous if Alonso is on the market.
The Yankees’ need for a power-hitting first baseman is pressing. Their first basemen posted a combined .619 OPS in 2024, the lowest in MLB. With Anthony Rizzo’s stint with the team likely over, unless management makes the puzzling decision to re-sign him, they’ll be in desperate need of an upgrade.
Alonso moving from Queens to the Bronx would send shockwaves through New York baseball. This threat is even more realistic if the Mets land Soto and reallocate resources accordingly. Yankees fans would welcome the slugger, while Mets fans would shudder at the thought of their star becoming the next iconic Bronx Bomber.
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