New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso told reporters after Sunday’s season finale that he would opt out of his contract and test the free agent market again before the 2026 season.
“I love playing here … Every single day, it’s been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue,” Alonso said after the Mets were eliminated from the postseason with a 4-0 loss to the host Miami Marlins. “I’ve really appreciated it and have been nothing but full of gratitude. Nothing is guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens. I’ve loved being a Met. Hopefully, they’ve appreciated me the same.”
Alonso, 30, has spent all seven years of his major league career with the Mets, who selected him in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Florida. He has displayed tremendous durability, playing in at least 152 games in all but the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign and drawn in for all 162 contests in both 2024 and 2025.
He bounced back from a pair of down years in 2025, recording career-bests with a .272 batting average and 41 doubles, which led the National League. His 126 RBIs were second-best in the majors.
Alonso entered free agency last winter but did not get a deal done until Feb. 5, when he inked a two-year, $54 million contract with the Mets. He has $24 million remaining on the contract for 2026, but given his recent robust campaign, stands to earn a great deal more this winter.
A five-time All-Star, including every season since 2022, Alonso was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2019. Alonso’s 264 career homers (including 38 this season) are a franchise record.
