Offseason Toronto Blue Jays target Pete Alonso opts out of contract with the New York Mets
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New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has opted out of his two-year contract and is now a free agent.
Pete Alonso is returning to free agency, as the Mets first baseman told the New York Post's Mike Puma and other reporters that he won't be exercising his player option for the 2026 season.
Pete Alonso says he will opt out and become a free agent this offseason
On his future with the Mets: "Playing for this organization, this city - they've continued to believe in me. I love playing here. There's some great guys in this clubhouse, some great people on the staff. Every single day, it's been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue.
I've really appreciated it and have been nothing but full of gratitude every single day. Nothing is guaranteed, but we'll see what happens - I've loved being a Met. Hopefully, they've appreciated me the same."
On his future with the Mets: "Playing for this organization, this city - they've continued to believe in me. I love playing here. There's some great guys in this clubhouse, some great people on the staff. Every single day, it's been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue.
I've really appreciated it and have been nothing but full of gratitude every single day. Nothing is guaranteed, but we'll see what happens - I've loved being a Met. Hopefully, they've appreciated me the same."
Alonso will instead leave his $24MM salary on the table and head to the open market in search of a longer and more lucrative deal.
The announcement came just minutes after the Mets' season-ending 4-0 loss to the Marlins, which officially eliminated New York from postseason contention and put a coda on the club's devastating second-half swoon.
In that case, Alonso's statement just adds to the sting of a dismal day for Mets fans, yet there wasn't much point in Alonso waiting a few more weeks to make what seemed like an obvious decision.
Even dating back to when Alonso signed his two-year, $54MM deal last February, there was little doubt that he would be re-entering free agency again this winter.
Alonso clearly wants to take his chances after a season that saw him hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 42 additional extra-base hits.
Will the Blue Jays have interest in Pete Alonso again this upcoming offseason?
Blue Jays were in the mix for Pete Alonso this past offseason before he chose to re-sign with the Mets.
It's to be seen if Alonso's second go in free agency goes better than his first. Some of the same factors that worked against him, like his age and the fact he's a right-right first baseman playing in an era that doesn't value that profile remain intact.
It's also unclear how much interest the Mets will have in retaining his services given they could just shift Mark Vientos across the diamond and improve their defense at the hot corner.
Alonso has only ever suited up for the Mets during his professional career.
If this is it for him in New York, he'll have spent seven seasons there and made five All-Star Games. Earlier this year, he became the franchise's career home run leader, surpassing former star outfielder Darryl Strawberry.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 28 | 1321 ANSWERS Offseason Toronto Blue Jays target Pete Alonso opts out of contract with the New York Mets Do you think the Blue Jays will take a run at Pete Alonso again this upcoming offseason? | ||
| Yes | 434 | 32.9 % |
| No | 500 | 37.9 % |
| Too early to tell | 387 | 29.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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