Pete Alonso continues to beam about Baltimore less than two weeks after signing with the Orioles.
After calling his new team “the perfect match” during his introductory press conference, the slugger reiterated Monday on “Foul Territory” that he has “no regrets” about leaving the Mets.
The Mets’ all-time home run leader also revealed that it became clear his time in Queens was coming to an end when it became clear the club would not make an offer.
“It was pretty much it when it came to the real negotiating point,” Alonso said. “It’s like, OK, it’s just not going to happen. For me, I gave it everything I had — and I always do — and I don’t take it personally because at the end of the day, it’s their philosophy, it’s their business decision.”
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns told Alonso’s camp at the GM Meetings in November that the team remained interested in a reunion, but Alonso said that was also when the Orioles began showing serious interest.
“So it started straight away during the GM meetings,” Alonso said. “Mike [Elias] sat down with my agent Scott [Boras]. They just wanted to gauge interest. And for me, I’m like, they’ve got a great, talented young core and Camden [Yards] is a very, very beautiful park, it’s a great place to play. For me it is always a very enjoyable place to visit.
“So I’m like, yeah, if they’re interested, I’d love to hear what they had to say.”
While Stearns insisted the sides would remain committed, Baltimore stepped up its pursuit at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, agreeing to a five-year, $155 million deal.
The Mets ultimately never made an offer to the five-time All-Sar.
“I’m in a place where they see me in their future and in their present,” Alonso added. “So I’m happy to be there, and I can’t wait to start winning ball games for the Baltimore Orioles.”
Of course, Alonso’s departure was far from the Mets’ only major deduction this season.
New York traded longtime outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for infielder Marcus Semien and saw superstar closer Edwin Díaz move on to the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers.
The team also awarded former batting champion Jeff McNeil to the track and field on Monday.
Those losses left big holes in the roster. The Mets responded by adding former Yankees closers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, along with veteran infielder Jorge Polanco, who is expected to see time at first base.
Alonso said he didn’t want to go down “the rabbit hole” but acknowledged that if the team hadn’t collapsed in 2025 — which ended with him missing the playoffs after losing to the Marlins on the final day of the regular season — things might have developed differently.
“That’s kind of a philosophical thing where it says, hey, that’s exactly what they wanted to do,” Alonso said. “But when you think about 2025, it came down to one game. It came down to one game.
“There were a lot of guys hurt. If they weren’t, that would have put us in a better situation. You can’t control injuries – we had a lot of arms that weren’t healthy. That got us in trouble, but it was a one-game situation, not in the playoffs.”
As the Mets maneuver the remainder of the offseason, the departures have drawn passionate reactions from around the league, including “Foul Territory” host and his former teammate, Todd Frazier.
The former Mets third baseman, who nicknamed Alonso “Polar Bear,” dismantled the organization for failing to retain its core All-Stars.
During Monday’s appearance, “The Toddfather” asked Alonso point-blank if the Mets’ free agency approach was rubbing him the wrong way.
“Let me ask you this,” Frazier began. “Forget the fans, I felt like the Mets didn’t get too involved with you. Home run king. The fans loved you – that had to hurt a little, right?”
Alonso, who has already started to get used to his new team, once again avoided taking direct shots at his former team and instead focused on his next chapter.
“Todd, to be honest, buddy, for me it’s okay because I know I gave everything I had every day,” Alonso said. “I appreciate it, but at the end of the day I’m happy that it’s not only the place where I’m going to play, but also where my family is going to be.
“I feel like I’m in the right place,” he added. “We as a family are in the right place. The Orioles have treated us great all the way… It’s not like the Mets didn’t, I’m just blessed and I feel like we’re in the right place. How can I be salty about that?”
#Pete #Alonso #Reveals #Knew #Mets #Return #Wasnt #Cards #Regrets