The biggest headline in the baseball world on Wednesday night was Pete Alonso re-signing with the New York Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract. The offseason had been filled with speculation regarding Alonso’s future, with some buzz about interest from other teams. However, his agent, Scott Boras, may have used this narrative to generate more market value. Ultimately, Alonso and the Mets reached a deal that benefited the team more than the slugger himself.
Contents
- 1 Mutual Necessity: Alonso and the Mets Strengthen Each Other
- 2 The Soto Factor: A Game-Changing Addition
- 3 Alonso’s Historic Power: A Franchise Icon in the Making
- 4 Strengthening the Mets’ Lineup: With vs. Without Alonso
- 5 Projected Lineup Without Alonso:
- 6 Projected Lineup With Alonso:
- 7 Alonso’s Offensive Ceiling in 2024
- 8 A Win-Win Move for the Mets and Alonso
Mutual Necessity: Alonso and the Mets Strengthen Each Other
The simple framing of this situation suggests Alonso needed the Mets because there wasn’t a strong enough market elsewhere. However, the reality is that the Mets needed Alonso just as much as he needed them. Their lineup, without him, would have been significantly weaker, making their championship aspirations harder to achieve. With Alonso’s return, the Mets’ offensive firepower is considerably stronger.
The Soto Factor: A Game-Changing Addition
Adding Juan Soto to the roster was a major coup for the Mets. His presence alone elevates the team’s offensive capabilities, but retaining Alonso ensures a lethal combination in the lineup. Simply replacing Alonso with Soto would have been an upgrade, but keeping both significantly strengthens the Mets’ run-production potential.
With Alonso back, the Mets now boast one of the most formidable lineups in the league. His power-hitting complements Soto’s elite ability to get on base, making Alonso an even more valuable asset. The contrast in their hitting profiles highlights why having both in the same lineup is essential.
- Alonso (2023 stats): .240 batting average, 172 strikeouts, .329 on-base percentage (OBP)
- Soto (2023 stats): .288 batting average, 119 strikeouts, 129 walks, .419 OBP
While Alonso’s OBP is solid compared to the league average (.312), Soto’s plate discipline and ability to get on base at an elite rate amplify Alonso’s role as a run producer. If Alonso were forced into the second or third spot in the lineup, there would be more pressure on him to improve his contact hitting. However, with Soto batting second and MVP runner-up Francisco Lindor leading off, Alonso can focus on his primary role—delivering power and driving in runs.
Alonso’s Historic Power: A Franchise Icon in the Making
Bringing Alonso back strengthens the present-day Mets and prepares him for franchise history. He is on track to become the Mets’ all-time home run leader. Here’s where he currently stands:
- Darryl Strawberry – 252 HR
- David Wright – 242 HR
- Pete Alonso – 226 HR
- Mike Piazza – 220 HR
- Howard Johnson – 192 HR
If Alonso stays healthy and productive, he could surpass Strawberry as the Mets’ home run king shortly. His consistent power numbers make this milestone inevitable.
Strengthening the Mets’ Lineup: With vs. Without Alonso
Had the Mets not retained Alonso, their lineup would have suffered. Here’s a comparison of what the batting order could have looked like without him versus with him:
Projected Lineup Without Alonso:
- Francisco Lindor (SS)
- Juan Soto (RF)
- Mark Vientos (1B)
- Brandon Nimmo (LF)
- Francisco Alvarez (C)
- Jesse Winker/Starling Marte (DH)
- Jose Siri (CF)
- Jeff McNeil (2B)
- Brett Baty (3B)
Projected Lineup With Alonso:
- Francisco Lindor (SS)
- Juan Soto (RF)
- Mark Vientos (3B)
- Pete Alonso (1B)
- Brandon Nimmo (LF)
- Francisco Alvarez (C)
- Jesse Winker/Starling Marte (DH)
- Jeff McNeil (2B)
- Jose Siri (CF)
The addition of Alonso provides much-needed depth, pushing the rest of the lineup down a spot and making it far more formidable. Without Alonso, the Mets might have had to rely on unproven options like Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio at third base, which would introduce uncertainty. While Mauricio has potential, he is coming off ACL surgery, making his immediate impact uncertain. The Mets aim for a World Series, and securing Alonso ensures they have a proven run producer in the middle of their lineup.
Alonso’s Offensive Ceiling in 2024
Over his career, Alonso has established himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters. His lowest home run total in an entire season is 34, while his best mark is 53. Even in his worst batting average season (.217), he still managed 46 home runs and 118 RBIs. When he hit .271, he racked up an impressive 131 RBIs.
Given his position in the lineup behind elite on-base threats like Lindor and Soto, Alonso is in an ideal spot to have a career-best season in RBI production. He could set a new personal high in RBIs if he maintains an average of around .250 while launching 40+ homers. Unlike an untested prospect like Mauricio, Alonso’s production is a known commodity—there’s no speculation about his ability to deliver.
A Win-Win Move for the Mets and Alonso
Ultimately, this re-signing was a mutually beneficial decision. While Alonso may not have found the overwhelming free-agent market he hoped for, staying with the Mets ensures he remains in a competitive lineup, giving him ample opportunity to thrive. At the same time, the Mets solidify their offensive core, positioning themselves as legitimate World Series contenders.
Yes, Alonso needed the Mets—but to achieve their lofty goals, the Mets needed him just as much.
