Key Points
Pete Alonso has signed a record-setting contract with the Baltimore Orioles
The deal gives Alonso the highest average annual salary ever for a first baseman
It becomes the second-largest contract in Orioles history
Alonso is coming off a dominant 2025 season with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs
The Orioles aim to rebound after a last-place finish in the AL East
Engaging Introduction
In one of the most surprising moves of the MLB offseason, star slugger Pete Alonso is leaving the New York Mets to begin a new chapter with the Baltimore Orioles. The powerhouse first baseman has agreed to a landmark contract that resets the market for his position and signals Baltimore’s determination to return to playoff contention.
A Historic Contract for Baltimore
Alonso’s new deal delivers the highest average annual value ever given to a first baseman. It also ranks as the second-richest contract in Orioles franchise history, surpassed only by Chris Davis’ $161 million agreement signed in 2016.
The signing represents a bold financial commitment for a club looking to reestablish itself in the American League race.
Alonso’s Breakout 2025 Campaign
The 31-year-old enters Baltimore following a standout 2025 season with the Mets. He appeared in all 162 games and posted a .271 batting average with a .347 on-base percentage and a .524 slugging mark.
His season included 38 home runs, 41 doubles, and 126 RBIs. Those numbers earned him his fifth National League All-Star selection and his first career Silver Slugger Award.
Setting Records and Delivering in October
Alonso cemented his place in Mets history last summer when he launched his 253rd career home run on August 13, breaking Darryl Strawberry’s long-standing franchise record that had stood since 1988.
While the Mets struggled to make deep playoff runs during his tenure, Alonso consistently delivered when the lights were brightest. Across 16 postseason games, he posted a 1.003 OPS with five home runs and 11 RBIs.
Free Agency and a Changing Mets Roster
Alonso became a free agent after opting out of the remaining two years on his previous $54 million contract. His departure follows a larger shakeup in New York, as star closer Edwin Díaz also left this offseason, signing a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The moves mark a significant transition for the Mets after several seasons built around core veterans.
Why the Orioles Are Betting Big
Baltimore is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw the club finish last in the AL East with a 75-87 record. That outcome followed consecutive postseason appearances in the previous two seasons.
Team officials believe Alonso’s elite power, durability, and playoff experience can help stabilize the lineup and restore the Orioles as a serious contender.
What Happens Next?
With Alonso now anchoring the middle of the order, the Orioles are expected to continue adding pieces around him before Opening Day. For Baltimore fans, expectations rise sharply as one of baseball’s most feared sluggers arrives with championship aspirations.
A$AP Rocky Appears to Confirm Marriage to Rihanna, Calls Himself a ‘Loving Husband’