Mets Reflect on Pete Alonso’s Departure After Historic 2026 Campaign

In his first season with the Baltimore Orioles, Pete Alonso led the American League with 43 home runs and 113 runs batted in, becoming the first player in Major League Baseball history to capture the RBI title in both the American and National Leagues. He appeared in every game for Baltimore and posted a 146 wRC+ at first base, far exceeding the league average.

Newsweek

The New York Mets finished the 2026 campaign at 74-88, slipping to last place in the National League East after narrowly missing the postseason in 2025. The team cycled through eight different first basemen, with Jared Young receiving the most playing time (81 games) and posting a 110 wRC+. Across the season, the Mets collectively recorded an 85 wRC+ at the position, indicating below-average production.

Newsweek

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns addressed Alonso’s departure in a recent interview, noting that his role “doesn’t allow for mulligans.”

Newsweek

Alonso’s seven-year tenure with the Mets yielded 1,008 games, 264 home runs and 712 RBIs in the National League, including a rookie-record 53 homers in 2019 and multiple 40-plus-homer seasons. His departure leaves a notable offensive void, especially given the Mets’ sub-average first-base production in 2026. The franchise now faces the challenge of rebuilding the position while evaluating whether a future trade or free-agency move could reunite the team with Alonso.

Newsweek