Pete Alonso: Where Will the “Polar Bear” Play in 2026?
A year after MLB teams didn’t value him with a long-term contract, Pete Alonso returns to the free agent market seeking a deal that ensures stability. After extensive negotiation, Alonso agreed in February to a two-year, $54 million contract with the New York Mets, with the option to opt out after the 2025 season. He met expectations, and after the last game of the regular season, he announced his intention to exercise that option. The chances of Alonso finding a team willing to offer him a long-term contract are greater this time, mainly due to his performance in the 2025 season. Despite having had a less outstanding season in 2024, with a batting average of .240/.329/.459 and 34 home runs, Alonso proved his worth on the field. After adjusting his swing and approach, Alonso connected with the ball with more force, reaching an average exit velocity of 93.5 mph, the highest of his career. This translated into a batting average of .272/.347/.524, with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs, playing largely behind Juan Soto. His wRC+ of 141 equaled the second-best mark of his career. In addition, he set a home run record in franchise history, solidifying his place as one of the most beloved players by the Mets fans. Another relevant fact is that Alonso played all 162 games of the season for the second consecutive year. In that period, his 264 home runs place him in third place in MLB, surpassed only by Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber, also a free agent. Alonso is distinguished by his durability and consistency. The market also plays in their favor. Alonso and Schwarber are the main hitters available in free agency this offseason. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s decision to sign a 14-year, $500 million extension with Toronto eliminated his main competitor at first base. Josh Naylor is at a lower level, and although the Mariners do not plan to invest in Alonso, his stay on the team reduces the options for other clubs. With these factors in mind, Alonso is expected to get a contract of between four and five years. The key question is: where will he play?Possible Destinations for Alonso
Here are some possible destinations for the five-time All-Star, starting with the three teams that have shown the most interest, including the only team he has played for so far:New York Mets
The Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns, expressed his desire to have Alonso and closer Edwin Díaz, another All-Star free agent, back. Alonso’s willingness to serve as a designated hitter, at least part-time, is a plus, as the Mets seek to improve a defense that showed weaknesses in 2025.However, the Mets’ priority for this offseason is pitching, both in the rotation and the bullpen. In addition, they have internal options for first base and designated hitter in the short and long term. Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Jeff McNeil could play at first base. Juan Soto, after a poor defensive year in right field, could be used as a designated hitter. Stearns’ unwillingness to offer Alonso what he was asking for last winter suggests that he prefers not to make an investment of that caliber in him. The Mets haven’t had anyone other than Alonso start at first base on Opening Day since Adrián González played 54 games in 2018. A year later, Alonso debuted and hit 54 home runs, being named National League Rookie of the Year. He became a fan favorite in Queens during his seven seasons. However, he could be playing in another jersey in 2026.“He’s clearly a very good offensive player,” Stearns said at the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas. “And I think for any team, the ability to have his bat in the lineup in multiple ways is helpful. And it’s great to know that Pete is open to things like that.”
David Stearns
Boston Red Sox
Production at first base in 2025: .244/.305/.386, 16 HR, 86 wRC+, -0.7 fWARMain players at first base: Abraham Toro (57 games as a starter), Romy Gonzalez (41), Triston Casas (27), Nathaniel Lowe (26)Production as a designated hitter in 2025: .272/.361/.465, 26 HR, 125 wRC+, 2.5 fWARTop Designated Hitters: Rafael Devers (73), Masataka Yoshida (44), Rob Refsnyder (18), Roman Anthony (17)
Most of Boston’s designated hitter production last season came from Devers before he was traded in June. First base was a major problem, starting with Casas’ slow start and worsening when he lost the season to a knee injury in early May. The logical option to replace him, Devers, declined the assignment, leading Boston to send him to San Francisco. Toro, Gonzalez, and Lowe, who was signed in August, took on the task for the rest of the season. Toro was designated for assignment in August. Lowe suffered the same fate on Tuesday. Red Sox’s president of baseball operations, Craig Breslow, has made it clear that he wants to acquire an elite bat in the middle of the batting order, preferably a right-handed one. The Devers trade, combined with Alex Bregman’s free agency, has left the Red Sox without much proven power in their lineup. A meeting with Bregman would fulfill that requirement. So would the signing of Alonso, who could split time at first base and as a designated hitter with Casas if Boston decided to keep him.Do the Red Sox have the ability to acquire both free agents? The Devers trade reduced $29.1 million from the competitive balance tax payroll during each of the next eight years. The Red Sox had approximately $98 million of their modest $201 million competitive balance tax payroll coming off their books after the season. Their 2026 payroll is projected to include more than $50 million in raises, but Boston is a large-market club with plenty of money to meet its needs.
Cincinnati Reds
Production at first base in 2025: .252/.318/.445, 29 HR, 107 wRC+, 2.0 fWARMain players at first base: Spencer Steer (113 starts), Christian Encarnacion-Strand (25)Production as a designated hitter in 2025: .240/.313/.407, 21 HR, 96 wRC+, -0.2 fWARMain designated hitters: Gavin Lux (57 starts), Austin Hays (38), Miguel Andujar (20), Tyler Stephenson (17), Steer (16) The Reds finished 14th in the league in runs scored, but their collective wRC+ of 92, a metric that adjusts for park factors and league context, ranked 24th. The Reds know there is room for improvement playing half their games at Great American Ball Park, a hitter’s paradise, so they are looking to strengthen their offense. The first base and designated hitter are not obvious needs. Spencer Steer hit 21 home runs in 146 games. Sal Stewart, who turns 22 next month, will be a more important part of the calculation after posting a 121 OPS+ in his first 18 career games. But Alonso resides on another level. Like Schwarber, a Cincinnati area native. Now, the economic part. Signing any of these hitters would require the largest free agent contract in franchise history; the current record is the two four-year, $64 million deals awarded to Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas in 2020. The Reds are estimated to have a competitive balance tax payroll of $120 million for next season after finishing with a $143 million payroll in 2025, the highest since 2021. That projection includes expected increases. If investing in a top-tier free agent is too expensive, or if they simply decide to play elsewhere, the Reds could get a cheaper alternative in the trade market by negotiating with the depth of their starting rotation.Philadelphia Phillies
Production at first base in 2025: .262/.351/.479, 32 HR, 128 wRC+, 3.9 fWARMain players at first base: Bryce Harper (130 games as a starter)Designated Hitter Production in 2025: .238/.362/.566, 57 HR, 152 wRC+, 5.1 fWARMain Designated Hitters: Kyle Schwarber (154 games as a starter)
With Bryce Harper at first base, Alonso would likely only make sense for the Phillies if they don’t re-sign Schwarber, the best designated hitter in the majors after Shohei Ohtani. But Phillies owner John Middleton isn’t afraid to spend money, and the team could make both Alonso and Schwarber work by moving Harper back to the outfield. Offensively, Alonso’s right-handed bat makes sense, as the Phillies are expected to move on from Nick Castellanos, catcher J.T. Realmuto is a free agent, and Alec Bohm is a trade candidate.Pittsburgh Pirates
Production at first base in 2025: .246/.323/.411, 18 HR, 103 wRC+, 1.3 fWARMain players at first base: Spencer Horwitz (93 starts), Enmanuel Valdez (22)Production as a designated hitter in 2025: .238/.328/.390, 19 HR, 98 wRC+, 0.0 fWARMain designated hitters: Andrew McCutchen (120 games as a starter), Bryan Reynolds (34)
This is a remote possibility, but the Pirates want to spend money on improving their offense to complement a strong pitching staff led by Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. Like the A’s last winter in their quest to improve their starting rotation, that could require overpaying for an impact bat. The price of doing business.Baltimore Orioles
Production at first base in 2025: .243/.310/.369, 14 HR, 92 wRC+, 0.6 fWARMain players at first base: Coby Mayo (67 starts), Ryan Mountcastle (50), Ryan O’Hearn (39)Production as a designated hitter in 2025: .221/.296/.380, 22 HR, 90 wRC+, -0.5 fWARMain designated hitters: Mountcastle (33 starts), O’Hearn (31), Adley Rutschman (18), Jordan Westburg (16), Tyler O’Neill (13)
In general manager meetings, Orioles general manager Mike Elias said he wanted to add a power hitter, preferably an outfielder, this offseason. Acquiring Taylor Ward for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on Tuesday fulfilled that requirement. But they could always add more power and Alonso would give them plenty.
