Pete Alonso’s Free Agency: Blue Jays, Red Sox Among Teams Interested

First baseman Pete Alonso remains unsigned with just over a month until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, signaling he has yet to find a contract offer to his liking. Reports suggest Alonso is likely to pivot to a short-term deal with opt-outs, with eight teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, expressing some level of interest. However, the lack of aggressive offers indicates a potential gap between Alonso’s expectations and the market’s valuation.

Alonso, represented by agent Scott Boras, turned down a seven-year, $157 million extension offer from the New York Mets in 2023. At the time, he had one arbitration season remaining and ultimately earned $20.5 million. Alonso reportedly sought to surpass recent deals for Freddie Freeman ($162 million) and Matt Olson ($168 million), but the market for right-handed sluggers with limited defensive value has cooled. Alonso’s offensive production has also dipped slightly, with a 122 wRC+ over the past two seasons compared to 137 wRC+ through 2022.

Boras has a history of securing short-term deals with opt-outs for clients who face underwhelming markets. Last offseason, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery all signed such contracts after prolonged free agency. Alonso could follow a similar path, with MLB Trade Rumors speculating a deal similar to Bellinger’s three-year, $80 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

The Mets remain a possibility for Alonso, as they have not filled his spot at first base. Speculation suggests they could move Mark Vientos to first and address third base internally or via external additions. Other teams, including the Yankees, Giants, and Angels, have been linked to Alonso, but their fits are less straightforward. The Blue Jays and Red Sox face roster logjams, making Alonso’s potential signing a complex decision.

Financially, the Blue Jays are close to last year’s payroll and competitive balance tax threshold, while the Red Sox are nearly $30 million below the tax line. Both teams have shown willingness to spend but must weigh Alonso’s fit against their existing rosters. As spring training approaches, Alonso’s free agency remains one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.