Pete Alonso has actually finished greater than sufficient this 12 months to reject his $24 million participant choice for 2026, which — like final offseason — will make him among the many most intriguing free brokers.
He’s assembling a stronger platform season than 2024, with a 141 OPS-plus via Friday regardless of sustained downturns in Could and July (his profession common was 135). He additional endeared himself to Mets followers by changing into the franchise’s all-time dwelling run chief, which solely enhanced his repute to thrive on this heated market. He stays amongst MLB’s most sturdy gamers. Plus no participant could be made a qualifying supply greater than as soon as, and Alonso had that restrictive shackle final offseason.
However a lot of what restrained Alonso from procuring the lengthy, profitable deal he craved final offseason has not modified, besides he has gotten a 12 months older (and would play at 31 subsequent 12 months) to go together with lack of defensive and athletic worth at a interval in MLB historical past when the groupthink is basically towards overextending for 30-ish first basemen with that profile.
Will the Crimson Sox transferring of roughly $250 million of Rafael Devers’ contract in a commerce to the Giants inspire them to make use of a bit on Alonso to assault the Inexperienced Monster? Do the Padres have it of their extra restrictive price range so as to add the type of homer would possibly they want? Can the Giants, who nonetheless want energy, even after acquiring Devers have an interest, or do they only wish to wait on their near-ready energy prospect Bryce Eldridge?