It’s been a tough couple of days for the New York Mets who first lost free agent closer Edwin Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers, followed a day later by slugging first baseman Pete Alonso, who on Wednesday, December 10th agreed to a five-year $155 million-dollar deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
Free Agent First Baseman Pete Alonso Signs with Orioles
While the Dodgers breaking the bank to sign an elite free agent such as Diaz is no surprise, that’s not the case with the more conservative Orioles, who last made this type of impact signing back in 2016 when they signed home run hitting first baseman Chris Davis to a seven-year $$161 million-dollar deal.
Alonso, affectionately known as “Polar Bear”, was originally drafted second round, 64th overall, in the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.
This beloved 31 year-old spent seven seasons playing for the Mets, where over that time the five-time NL All-Star made some franchise history by becoming the Mets all-time leading home run hitter with 264 while holding down third spot on the franchise all-time RBI list with 712.
Last season, Alonso hit for a respectable 272 average with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs, 41 doubles, while scoring 87 runs to win his first Silver Slugger Award.
Alonso gives the Orioles that middle of the order power hitter they so desperately needed.
“Christmas came early,” Maryland Governor Wes Moore said on social media about the signing. Last off-season, Alonso was a free agent who re-signed with the Mets on a one-year $54 million dollar contract with a clause which he exercised this off-season in allowing him to opt out and become once again a free agent.
Orioles made pitch for Schwarber before signing Alonso
The Orioles, who drastically underachieved last season by unexpectantly finishing last in the AL East Division, were desperately looking to add power. Before successfully signing Alonso, the Orioles swung for the fences by trying to sign both Schwarber and Tucker but couldn’t get a deal done.
Alonso is quite the upgrade over last season’s often-injured first baseman Ryan Mountcastle who last season in 83 games hit only seven home runs, along with 35 RBIs, 83 hits, and a .250 batting average.
Following their underachieving season, Orioles management stressed to their disappointed fans that they will be aggressive in the free agent market.
Alonso leaves behind a tremendous legacy as a New York Met
Starting in 2019 as a rookie, Alonso made an immediate impression when on Opening Day, the ‘Polar Bear” showed his skills by recording his first MLB hit which came in the eighth inning off of Washington Nationals Justin Miller.
A few days later, on April 1st. Alonso’s popularity among Mets fans began to develop as he hit his first career home run which came against Miami Marlins pitcher Drew Steckenrider during a 7-3 Mets win.
Showing to be a special talent, Alonso became the first player since 1900 to mash 11 extra base hits in his first 10 MLB games.
In what was truly a magical rookie season, Alonso put his name in the MLB record books when on June 22nd he broke a NL record by hitting his 26th home run which is the most by a rookie before the All-Star break.
That first season would see Alonso set a rookie record with 53 home runs. Alonso would also end up with 120 RBI’s, 170 hits, 103 runs scored and a .260 batting average which earned him the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year and included on the All-MLB First Team.
During his seven years as a Met, Alonso has eclipsed the 100 plateau on four occasions and 40 or more home runs in three seasons.
For his career, Alonso has accumulated 951 hits, 264 home runs, 580 runs, 712 RBI’s, 18 stolen bases and a .253 batting average.
Main Image: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
