The baseball world moves fast, and if you haven't been checking the transaction wire every ten minutes, you probably missed the earthquake. For years, the question is Pete Alonso a free agent felt like a looming cloud over Citi Field. Well, that cloud finally burst.
If you're looking for the short answer: No, he isn't a free agent right now. But that's only because he just finished being one of the most talked-about names on the open market in recent memory.
The "Polar Bear" has a new home. In a move that stunned plenty of fans in Queens, Pete Alonso officially signed a massive five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles in December 2025. He's gone. The orange and blue has been swapped for orange and black. It feels weird, right? Honestly, seeing him in any jersey other than a Mets one is going to take some getting used to.
Why the Pete Alonso Free Agent Saga Ended This Way
Everyone thought Steve Cohen would just write the check. That's the narrative, isn't it? The richest owner in baseball doesn't let his homegrown stars walk. But baseball is rarely that simple. After a 2025 season where Pete absolutely mashed—hitting .272 with 38 homers and a career-high 41 doubles—his value was through the roof.
He had a player option for 2026 worth $24 million. He'd have been crazy to take it.
Naturally, he opted out in November 2025. It wasn't about disliking New York; it was about the market. When you're 31 and you've just put up an .871 OPS, you don't settle for a one-year flyer. You go for the bag.
The Baltimore Pivot
Baltimore was the surprise player here. Most analysts were mocking him to the Mariners or the Rangers. Maybe even the Red Sox if they got desperate for right-handed power. But the Orioles, led by a young core of Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday, realized they needed a veteran "thumper" in the middle of that lineup.
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The deal breaks down to about $31 million per year. That makes him the second-highest-paid first baseman in terms of average annual value, trailing only Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Mets apparently never even made a formal final offer that matched what the Orioles were willing to do. Reports from insiders like Joel Sherman suggested the Mets were wary of a long-term commitment to a first baseman on the wrong side of 30, especially with prospects like Ryan Clifford waiting in the wings.
Is Pete Alonso a Free Agent Again Anytime Soon?
If you were hoping your team could snag him next year, I've got bad news. This contract is locked in tight. Unlike the "bridge" deal he signed previously, this five-year contract with Baltimore contains no opt-outs.
He is an Oriole through the 2030 season.
He won't hit the open market again until he's 36 years old. By then, we’re talking about a player likely looking at DH-only roles or a "chase the milestones" type of late-career contract.
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What the Mets are doing now
Life after Alonso is looking a bit experimental in New York. They’ve basically pivoted to a more versatile lineup. With Pete gone, the Mets moved Mark Vientos to first base and actually went out and got Bo Bichette to stabilize the infield. It’s a different vibe. Less "three-run homer or bust" and more "let's put the ball in play."
Still, you can't replace 40-homer power easily. The fans are definitely feeling the sting.
Breaking Down the "Bet on Yourself" Strategy
Pete Alonso is basically the poster child for why players hire Scott Boras. Back in 2023, the Mets offered him a seven-year extension worth $158 million. He said no.
People called him crazy. They said he was leaving too much security on the table.
But look at the math now:
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- He made over $50 million between his 2024 arbitration and his 2025 salary/signing bonus.
- He just tacked on another $155 million.
- Total take: $205.5 million over that same seven-year window.
He basically earned an extra $47 million by refusing to sign that early extension. That’s a lot of money to leave on the table just for "security." It’s a gutsy move that paid off because he stayed healthy and kept his strikeout rate under control.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Draft
If you’re wondering how this affects his production, the move to Camden Yards is... interesting. The "Walltimore" left field fence is a nightmare for righties, but Pete isn't your average righty. He has "all-fields" power.
Actually, the Orioles' lineup is so stacked right now that he might see better pitches than he ever did in New York. When pitchers have to worry about Henderson and Holliday getting on base in front of him, they can't just pitch around the Polar Bear.
Expect him to push for 40+ homers again in 2026.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- Current Status: Not a free agent. He is signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Contract Details: 5 years, $155 million (running through 2030).
- The "Why": He opted out of his Mets deal after a massive 2025 season to secure a long-term payday.
- No Way Back: There are no opt-outs in this new deal; he's in Baltimore for the long haul.
The question of is Pete Alonso a free agent is officially settled for the next half-decade. Whether you’re a grieving Mets fan or a hyped-up Orioles supporter, the reality is that one of the best power hitters of this generation has shifted the balance of power in the American League East.
If you're following the 2026 season, keep an eye on how the Mets fill that power void—it’s going to be a long summer in Queens if Vientos doesn't take a massive leap forward. Meanwhile, Baltimore just became the scariest lineup in the AL.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're tracking MLB rosters for the 2026 season, update your depth charts to show Mark Vientos at 1B for the Mets and Pete Alonso as the primary 1B/DH for the Orioles. For those in keeper leagues, Alonso’s value remains elite, though his home park factor at Camden Yards slightly favors his HR totals to right-center rather than dead-pull left field.