As the New York Mets fell on Sunday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 10-5, the only thought that could come to my mind was what sort of contract Pete Alonso was going to command in free agency. Well, that, and the fact that I was very glad that no NL East team was going to be hoisting the World Series trophy this season.
Anyways, back to Pete Alonso, he will be entering free agency for the first time in his professional career, and is expected to be one of the most sought after names on the open market this winter. As we have discussed at length, the Washington Nationals have a clear need in free agency and this offseason in general at first base. As for how Alonso could fit in with the Nationals, it's pretty obvious that he would make a ton of sense.
Since his debut in 2019, Alonso has clubbed an impressive 226 homers with a career OPS of .853, both of which would significantly increase the overall positional production that the Nats got from their first basemen last year. We know that Mike Rizzo will have the resources available to upgrade the team in free agency, but to what extent he decides to tap into the funds, remains to be seen. Coming off the worst statistical season of his career in a number of categories, Alonso certainly raised some question marks for his long-term outlook as well despite still putting up very respectable numbers.
Would Alonso really leave the New York Mets? That's what I believe it ultimately will come down to, as I think that the Mets would at least match any offer that Alonso receives in free agency. They are the only organization that Alonso has ever known since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2016 from the University of Florida, and we also know that the Mets were at least fielding calls on Alonso before the team got red hot before the deadline and decided to change course, showing that they were at least willing to let him go for the sake of the organization.
One of those teams included the Seattle Mariners, whom I also believe will likely try to make a run at him again in free agency, as they need to upgrade their lineup to supplement their superb starting pitching. There is no doubt that Alonso will have his fair share of choices this winter, but will he end up signing with the Nationals? While the fit is clean on paper, I do not think he will end up signing with the team. To be able to pry him away from a division rival would certainly be sweet, but I ultimately think he ends up back with the New York Mets, with a contract over $200M seeming well within reach. For that price, given that he's 29-years-old already and only plays first base, I would be content with the Nationals passing on him for a cheaper yet still effective option like a Christian Walker, Ryan O'Hearn or maybe even a reunion with Josh Bell.
Would you want to see the Nationals go after Pete Alonso? Who do you want to see us do a free agency preview on next? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.