NEW YORK—Pete Alonso is staying in Queens. The homegrown slugging first baseman and the New York Mets agreed on a two-year year, $54 million deal late Wednesday night. The contract includes a $10 million signing bonus and an opt-out after the first season.
BREAKING: Slugger Pete Alonso and the New York Mets are in agreement on a free-agent contract, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 6, 2025
Coming in Hot
At 30 years old, the Met posts a career 249/.339/.514 with 226 home runs, 586 RBI, 493 runs scored, and 781 hits. He made his Major League debut with the club in 2019, broke the rookie home run record [53], and won the Home Run Derby in his first MLB season, earning BBWAA’s Rookie of the Year Award that year. He went on to win the derby again in 2021 and has been named a National League All-Star four times in his career so far.
PETER MORGAN ALONSO. NEW YORK MET. NEVER A DOUBT. pic.twitter.com/MT7pqtF87T
— Gab (@gabrauc) February 6, 2025
“Blessed to be a Met”
Pete Alonso’s affection for the Mets is palpable in every word. His desire to remain with the team even after a seemingly tumultuous free agency is a testament to his deep connection with the organization.
“[But] I love this place. This place has been really special. This is all I’ve known. It’s just been a blessing and an honor. I’ve really enjoyed all my teammates that I’ve had.
“I’ve enjoyed the coaching staff. I’ve enjoyed just all of the people that have come through the door so many years. … I can’t thank everybody enough for not just the past six years but all of the people that helped get me to the big leagues and the minor-league system.
“There are so many coaches and teammates that I’ve had who have helped me get to this point. Over the past nine years, this is all I’ve known. I’ve loved every second of it,” Alonso stated at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Pete Alonso was asked to sum up his last six seasons:
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 21, 2024
“I’ve loved being a New York Met. I love representing the city of New York, I love representing Queens. This has really been special.” pic.twitter.com/aN2b1RMRkz
Infield Locked, Lineup Loaded
With the return of Alonso’s bat for 2025, the Mets’ infield is anchored, and the lineup is electric.
With Pete Alonso back in the fold, here’s how the Mets’ lineup could look in 2025 ? pic.twitter.com/yxmFkLBYsv
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 6, 2025
Regardless of what happens from here on out, he will surely be the Mets’ all-time home run leader, and that No. 20 will look so nice in the rafters of Citi Field someday.
Heroic 2024 Postseason
While he’s hit a ton over the past six years, Alonso notably delivered the biggest of his career against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Three of the 2024 NL Wild Card and made history doing so. With much credit to a turnaround season to several fun gimmicks, Alonso’s thrust of good luck is believed to have come from his “playoff pumpkin,” having visited a local pumpkin patch with his wife Haley while in Milwaukee before his legendary moment.
Pete Alonso is partying with the pumpkin ?? pic.twitter.com/LQoAObZUCa
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 4, 2024
As the first player [in MLB history] to hit a go-ahead HR while trailing in the 9th inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game–his clutch shot clinched a playoff-extending NLDS appearance for the Kings of Queens. The Mets went on to take the division from the Philadelphia Phillies in a 4-1 series victory, and the “Polar Bear” also supplied a three-run homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, but the Mets ultimately dropped the series in Los Angeles.
Pete Alonso’s home run, as called by @Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose ?❄️ pic.twitter.com/6JnB1GW2ma
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2024
LFGM
Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso coined the Mets’ favorite acronym, “LFGM,” in 2019 and discussed its importance in a 2022 article for the Players’ Tribune.
“This is the New York Mets we’re talking about. You know what I mean? We represent the greatest city in the world. And whether you’re a player or a fan, we all should be proud to be a part of this thing. We should say LFGM like we effing mean it (Let’s Go Mets). Like it matters. I know it does for me.”
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) October 5, 2024
He’s solidified his place in the hearts of many Mets fans over the years, with those in attendance for Amazin’ Day chanting “We want Pete” during a panel with the club’s executives. Owner Steve Cohen’s transparent comments regarding how negotiations had gone are said to have reignited talks with Alonso’s camp, with a previous report of the Toronto Blue Jays seriously vying for the slugger and seemingly being in first place until the fan fest.
“We Want Pete” chants in the Piazza Club for the Gary Cohen/Carlos Mendoza/David Stearns/Steve Cohen panel pic.twitter.com/5YlAbume9q
— Gab (@gabrauc) January 25, 2025
Thank you, Uncle O’Grimacey
Alonso’s love for the team has tugged at the heartstrings of Mets fans every season, and knowing he will wear jersey number 20 again in 2025 feels like all is right in the world. It’s only fitting that Alonso’s return was announced after McDonald’s amorphous purple mascot saved 2024 within 24 hours of them reintroducing the shamrock shake and 1970s icon Uncle O’Grimacey.
“It’s been a blessing to be a Met. I’m honored to be a Met. It’s just been so special. It’s been really special,”
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 6, 2025
