Will Pete Alonso Steal the Spotlight at Winter Meetings

This article breaks down the fast-moving MLB offseason power market. The focus? Pete Alonso’s free agency, the ripple effect of Edwin Díaz’s massive deal, and the odd limbo for elite starting pitchers even after record contracts like Dylan Cease’s.

Let’s see how the Mets, Red Sox, and Orioles are positioning themselves. And why, suddenly, front offices all over seem more eager to trade for arms than to splurge in free agency.

Pete Alonso Emerges as the Premier Power Bat on the Market

With Kyle Schwarber locked up by Philadelphia on a five-year, $150 million deal, Pete Alonso is now the top power hitter available in free agency. In a market desperate for right-handed thunder, Alonso’s profile checks pretty much every box: production, pedigree, and postseason potential.

The Numbers Behind Alonso’s Price Tag

Alonso just wrapped up a season that reminded everyone why he’s worth big money. He blasted 38 home runs, drove in 126 RBIs, and posted an .871 OPS, cementing his place as one of baseball’s most reliable middle-of-the-order threats.

Since 2022, he’s been a consistent All-Star. His underlying metrics line up with the top tier of power bats in the game, and that’s not something you find every day.

After opting out of a two-year, $54 million arrangement with the Mets, Alonso is reportedly chasing a five-year deal around $30 million annually. That puts him right in the $150 million range—basically Schwarber money, and a price that reflects the premium for elite, durable power at first base.

Mets, Red Sox, and Orioles: The Three-Horse Race

The Mets, Red Sox, and Orioles have emerged as the main suitors for Alonso. Each team is coming at this from a different angle, and it makes the whole thing a bit unpredictable.

• Mets: They know Alonso better than anyone, but new president David Stearns is famously cautious with both term and dollars, especially for sluggers past 30.
• Red Sox: Boston desperately needs a marquee bat to anchor its lineup and get the fanbase buzzing again.
• Orioles: Baltimore is loaded with young, cost-controlled talent. Maybe Alonso is the veteran hammer that turns them from good to scary.

The big sticking point is years. Stearns doesn’t seem willing to go past a three-year commitment. If the Mets hold firm, Boston or Baltimore could swoop in with the fifth year Alonso wants and shut the door on New York’s chances.

What Losing Alonso Would Mean for the Mets

For the Mets, moving on from Alonso isn’t just a roster tweak; it’s a potential identity shift. The franchise has already absorbed major changes this offseason, and losing another star would be tough to explain.

A Roster at a Crossroads in Queens

The Mets have traded Brandon Nimmo, a homegrown table-setter and fan favorite. They also watched closer Edwin Díaz leave in free agency.

Díaz landed a massive three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers. That deal doesn’t just reshape the Mets’ bullpen—it shakes up the entire relief market.

Subtracting Alonso after those losses would leave a glaring leadership and production hole. For a team that claims it wants to stay competitive while retooling, losing its most recognizable slugger would send a very different message to the clubhouse and the ticket base.

Edwin Díaz Deal Resets the Bullpen Market

Díaz’s contract with Los Angeles didn’t just reward one of the game’s most electric closers. It set a new financial baseline for high-end relief pitching.

That figure has immediate consequences for the next tier of relievers looking to cash in. The ripple effect is already obvious.

Suárez and Fairbanks Poised to Benefit

The market for power arms in the late innings is now reacting to the Díaz contract. Two names stand out as direct beneficiaries:

• Robert Suarez: After leading the NL with 40 saves, Suarez is drawing strong interest from the Mets, Blue Jays, and Braves. He’s expected to target a three-year deal around $17 million per year, a number clearly boosted by the Díaz deal.
• Pete Fairbanks: Fairbanks isn’t as established as Díaz, but his raw stuff and late-inning experience could help him cash in. Teams are always hunting for high-velocity, swing-and-miss bullpen arms.

Clubs that miss out on the top closers will probably pivot to this second tier. Especially for contenders, the bullpen can feel like the last piece of a championship puzzle.

Why the Starting Pitching Market Is Stalled

Compared to the action around position players and relievers, the starting pitching market is strangely quiet. That’s honestly a bit odd, considering the volume and quality of arms out there.

Cease’s Deal and the Trade-First Approach

The outlier so far has been Dylan Cease. He stunned the industry by landing a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays.

On paper, a contract like that should have triggered a classic offseason domino effect. You’d expect other top starters to quickly find homes.

But front offices are tapping the brakes. With trade chatter swirling around controllable arms like MacKenzie Gore and Tarik Skubal, teams seem more interested in exploring the trade market before throwing nine-figure sums at free agents.

It’s a pretty simple calculation: why pay a premium in years and dollars when you might just surrender prospects for a younger, controllable starter?

So now we’re stuck in a staring contest between agents and general managers. Starters want Cease’s contract to pull their prices up, but front offices are waiting to see if they can fill rotation needs via trade.

 
Here is the source article for this story: With Schwarber off the board, will Alonso steal the spotlight next?