The Mets didn’t force Pete Alonso to cut them.
They didn’t make their longtime first baseman a contract offer before he agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles, The Post’s Joel Sherman. reportswhen it became clear to them that he was getting bids for more dollars and years than they were comfortable with.
Alonso, 31, earned his fourth straight All-Star title and fifth overall this year, hitting .272 with an .871 OPS, 38 home runs, 41 doubles and 126 RBIs.
And while there are concerns about Alonso’s defense, he has been durable and has provided consistent power throughout his career, hitting at least 34 home runs in each of his full seasons; he hit 16 home runs during the shortened 2020 season.
According to Sherman, there are no opt-outs or deferrals in Alonso’s contract with the Orioles.
There was a stronger market for Alonso this year than last season, when he was coming off a declining 2024 in which he hit .240.
He ultimately returned to the Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract, with a $30 million contract through 2025 and an opt-out, which he exercised after a bounce-back season.
Alonso’s departure comes a day after closer Edwin Diaz left for the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract; The Mets offered three years, $66 million, but indicated there was wiggle room, Sherman reported.
It also leaves a lot of questions, as the Mets now have a major void in their lineup, especially on the right side.
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