Mets Hesitant to Extend Pete Alonso Beyond Three-Year Deal

The New York Mets are once again staring at a familiar crossroads with longtime slugger Pete Alonso. Fresh off an improved 2025 campaign at the plate, Alonso has opted out of the second year of his two-year deal and is testing free agency for the second straight winter.

The Mets have the financial muscle to keep him. But concerns about his defense, on-base profile, and age have made the decision a lot trickier than it looks on the surface.

Pete Alonso’s Free Agency: Power vs. Risk

This offseason, Alonso’s market really comes down to one thing: how much are teams willing to pay just for power, especially when the rest of the package has flaws? At 31, he’s not exactly old, but for a first baseman with defensive issues and just average on-base skills, age starts to matter more with every year.

Offensive Production in 2025

In 2025, Alonso reminded everyone why pitchers still fear him. His power numbers bounced back, and he kept his spot as a true middle-of-the-order threat.

The Mets lineup, which leans hard on its stars, still needs that extra-base punch. Even so, Alonso’s offense leans heavily on slugging, not on getting on base consistently.

His on-base percentage is serviceable rather than elite. That limits his ceiling as he gets older, especially in a league where front offices care more and more about hitters who control the zone, not just those who mash homers.

Defensive Concerns and the DH Question

Alonso’s defense is a bigger concern. Advanced stats don’t do him any favors at first base: minus-9 in Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average show that his glove actually costs runs.

He’s open about taking on more DH time, which is honest and probably smart. But even as DH spots become more common, teams hesitate to hand out big contracts to players who only hit and can’t help much in the field.

The Mets, in particular, don’t seem eager to lock in a primary DH on a long-term deal at this stage of Alonso’s career. That’s a tough pill for fans, but it’s the reality.

Why the Mets Are Hesitant on a Long-Term Deal

New York’s front office isn’t making this about feelings. They’re weighing the risk of decline against the fact that Alonso is still a fan favorite and a big part of the recent Mets story.

The Three-Year Comfort Zone

The Mets seem comfortable with a three-year range, covering Alonso’s age-31 to age-33 seasons. That keeps the risk in check and matches how teams now look at aging sluggers with limited defense.

Going beyond that brings up real worries:

Front offices are more cautious now with this kind of player—big power, average OBP, and no real defensive home. In today’s analytics-driven market, those players rarely get huge, long deals.

Market Reality for Slug-First Profiles

Recent offseasons make it clear: unless a hitter brings elite on-base skills or defensive versatility, teams just don’t offer long guarantees. Alonso fits that “proceed with caution” category almost perfectly.

He’ll still get paid, but probably not with the kind of massive, top-of-market deal that used to go to pure home run hitters. The Mets see the same market trends as everyone else, and it’s shaping how they approach this.

The Mets’ Payroll Outlook Gives Them Options

This decision isn’t about money. The Mets have set up their books to give themselves a ton of flexibility in the second half of the decade.

Future Payroll Relief and Core Commitments

Current projections show a sharp drop in payroll:

That financial runway lets the Mets be aggressive when they want. It also means they can be picky and don’t have to force a deal that might look bad in a few years, especially for a player whose value is tied so much to one skill.

A Reunion Still Possible, But on the Mets’ Terms

Despite all the hesitation about a long-term deal, a reunion between Alonso and the Mets is still possible. It just might not come quickly—or look like the kind of extension fans expect for a franchise icon.

A Familiar Path Back to Queens?

The Mets have a habit with Alonso: they let the market set the tone first. Other teams get to throw out offers, see how much they actually want his power bat, and only then do the Mets figure out where they stand.

This feels a lot like last offseason. Alonso tried out free agency and then came back on a two-year deal.

Could it happen again? Maybe. Another short or medium contract later in the winter wouldn’t surprise anyone who’s been watching this dance.

Right now, the Mets are stuck between nostalgia and necessity. Pete Alonso’s power still matters in Queens—fans love it, and so do the numbers.

But let’s be honest: nostalgia doesn’t pay the bills. The Mets seem set on making this call with clear heads, looking at the bigger picture for their future.

 
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