New York Mets owner Steve Cohen stated he expects first baseman Pete Alonso to exercise his contract option and become a free agent following the 2025 season.
Pete Alonso is currently playing on a two-year, $54 million deal that includes a player option for 2026 valued at $24 million. The structure of the contract was designed to potentially allow him to test the market this coming offseason.
Alonso has begun the 2025 season strongly, posting a .337 batting average with six home runs and 27 runs batted in through 29 games as of April 29. His current 1.088 OPS ranks among the league leaders.
Appearing on a podcast, Cohen said the team will address Alonso's future after the season concludes. He expressed support for Alonso exploring the market, acknowledging it is his right. Cohen also indicated the Mets remain open to potentially re-signing the slugger.
Some rival evaluators have commented on Alonso's performance improvements this year. They note that beyond his power numbers, his plate discipline metrics like walk rate, strikeout rate, and chase rate show improvement compared to past seasons. This strong start could influence how teams view his value in long-term discussions.
Alonso will turn 31 next winter, and his position as a first baseman could factor into contract length negotiations. However, he will not have a qualifying offer attached to him this offseason, which may impact his market differently than in prior negotiations.
Evaluators highlighted specific metrics that have seen improvement, including a higher barrel rate and sweet-spot percentage, suggesting refined swing mechanics are contributing to his production. His bat speed has also reportedly increased.
"He's a great Met, and I said this last year, if we can work it out," Cohen said. "I know we're happy with him. I believe he's happy to be a Met and that's a good place to start in any future discussions."
