Full Breakdown
Pete Alonso Returns to New York as an Oriole, Reflects on Mets Exit and Future
5/2/2026, 1:36:15 PM
Alonso’s Departure and New Deal
After the Mets declined to present a contract before free agency opened, first baseman Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million agreement with the Baltimore Orioles in December. Alonso said he never spoke with Mets owner Steve Cohen or president of baseball operations David Stearns before the deal was finalized, meeting only former teammates and manager Carlos Mendoza at his Tampa gym.
Background: 2024 Mets Resurgence and 2025 Offseason Overhaul
The 2024 Mets began 22-33 but rallied to finish 67-40, clinching a Wild Card spot and advancing to within two games of the World Series. Alonso contributed 34 homers and a .788 OPS that season. In the 2025 offseason the club replaced most of its long-tenured players, hired an almost entirely new coaching staff, and added infielder Jorge Polanco on a two-year, $40 million contract despite Polanco’s limited first-base experience.
Key Figures
- Pete Alonso – Baltimore Orioles first baseman, former Mets franchise home-run leader (264).
- Steve Cohen – Owner of the New York Mets.
- David Stearns – President of baseball operations for the Mets.
- Carlos Mendoza – Manager of the Mets during Alonso’s final season.
- Craig Albernaz – Manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
Performance Data: Early 2026 Numbers
Alonso entered the 2026 season with a .198/.306/.362 slash line and four home runs, while Orioles analytics note his hard-hit rate and barrel percentage rank in the 96th percentile league-wide. Polanco, signed to replace Alonso, posted a .179 average with one home run before an Achilles injury limited him to designated-hitter duties.
Official Actions & Responses
The Mets did not extend a qualifying offer to Alonso, and their first major free-agent move was the Polanco signing. Owner Steve Cohen and David Stearns publicly affirmed their confidence in manager Carlos Mendoza, with Stearns indicating Cohen’s own job security remained intact.
Criticism of Mets Management
Analysts and fans have pointed to the Mets’ failure to engage Alonso during free agency as a misstep that contributed to the club’s 10-21 start in 2026. The team’s roster has been hampered by underperformance from players such as Bo Bichette and David Peterson, as well as injuries to Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and others, fueling calls for a reassessment of the front office’s strategy.
Why It Matters
Alonso’s comments provide a rare insider perspective on the Mets’ recent turnaround and current struggles, offering both a morale boost for New York supporters and a benchmark for the Orioles as they evaluate his early-season production. The situation underscores the broader impact of free-agency decisions on franchise identity and fan engagement in a market with intense media scrutiny.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But there's no final conversation from a brass or ownership standpoint.” — Pete Alonso
- “On paper that's not good, but I remember in 2024 things were very bleak and whatever from an outside perspective,” — Pete Alonso
- “We flew into Newark, and then, I'm like, 'We're definitely back because we hit an insufferable wall of traffic,'” — Pete Alonso
- “It's baseball. Every team goes through ups and downs,” — Pete Alonso
- “The thing that I always take pride in, I leave it all out there every single night.” — Pete Alonso
What’s Next
The Orioles face the Yankees at Yankee Stadium this weekend, giving Alonso another high-profile platform in New York. Meanwhile, the Mets aim to reverse their early-season slide, with their front office under pressure to adjust roster construction before the mid-season trade deadline.
