Baltimore, Maryland. The renowned hitter Pete Alonso, nicknamed “The Polar Bear”, would be about to join the Baltimore Orioles after reaching an agreement for five years and 155 million dollars, according to a source close to the situation.
Although the club has not yet issued an official confirmation, this agreement could be one of the most outstanding moves of the winter market.
This agreement represents Alonso’s definitive departure from the Mets, who saw the player leave after exercising his option to opt out of the contract at the end of the 2025 season.
Free Agency Strategy
Alonso, originally from Tampa and a graduate of the University of Florida, returned to free agency after a very productive 2025 season. After signing a two-year, $54 million contract with the Mets, which included an opt-out clause, the first baseman decided to explore the market again, taking advantage of the increase in his value at age 30.
Since they didn’t receive a qualifying offer for the second consecutive time, his signature was facilitated, as it didn’t involve Draft selection compensation or a penalty for the Orioles.
Elite Production and Durability
Alonso comes from a campaign in which he was called to the All-Star Game for the fifth time, with impressive numbers.
- 38 home runs
- 41 doubles
- 126 RBIs
- An OPS of .871
These statistics demonstrate their recovery after a 2024 below their usual performance.
His advanced metrics place him among the best in MLB, excelling in exit velocity, hard hits, barrels, expected slugging, and expected wOBA.
Since his debut in 2019, Alonso has established himself as one of the most consistent hitters in the game. He has accumulated 264 home runs, the third-highest amount in that period, and has 712 RBIs, more than any other player since 2019. In addition, he has demonstrated remarkable durability, not missing a game since 2023 and participating in 1,008 of the last 1,032 possible games.
In August 2024, he became the all-time home run leader in Mets history, surpassing Darryl Strawberry, and has won the Home Run Derby twice (2019 and 2021).
Success in the Postseason
Alonso has shown his ability in playoffs, with an OPS of 1.003 and five home runs in 16 games.
In 2024, he hit a memorable three-run home run against Devin Williams in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, saving New York’s season.
This moment seemed to mark the end of his time with the Mets, especially after the signing of Juan Soto. However, the agreement with the Orioles confirms the farewell of the “Polar Bear” from Queens.
The Impact for Baltimore
With this addition, the Orioles add one of the most feared hitters in MLB to their young and promising lineup. Alonso will bring leadership, presence in the middle of the batting order, and stability at first base, key elements for a team looking to establish itself as a contender in the American League.
