The New York Mets and their first baseman, Pete Alonso, have reportedly hammered out a deal for a one-year contract worth $20.5 million to sidestep arbitration this offseason, as per a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Thursday night.
This agreement ensures that Alonso will stay with the Mets for the upcoming season, but it also sets the stage for him to hit free agency after the 2024 season. The looming free agency puts Alonso in a prominent position as one of the sought-after names in the league during the offseason.
First baseman Pete Alonso and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year, $20.5 million contract to avoid arbitration, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Alonso will hit free agency following the 2024 season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 12, 2024
There was speculation among fans about Alonso potentially changing teams this offseason, especially considering trade talks that were on the table last year before the August 1 deadline. Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed admiration for Alonso in August, expressing his desire to keep the power hitter on the roster. With this new deal, it seems that Alonso will be donning the Mets jersey for at least one more season, if not longer. The agreement was reached just in the nick of time, as the deadline to settle before arbitration loomed at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night.
Alonso has been a consistent presence with the Mets throughout his five MLB seasons, earning All-Star nods in the past two years. His performance in 2023 showcased an average of .217/.318/.504.
