Pete Alonso to Opt Out of Contract, Enter Free Agency

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso announced following the Mets’ season-ending 4-0 defeat to the Marlins that he intends to opt out of his current contract and seek free agency.

After lengthy negotiations last winter, the 30-year-old Alonso signed a two-year deal worth $54 million, which included a player opt-out clause after this season.

As the season concluded, Alonso established himself as the Mets’ all-time home run leader, finishing with a batting line of .272/.347/.524, hitting 38 home runs and leading the team with 126 RBIs. He also secured a spot in his fourth consecutive All-Star game.

Commenting on his time with the Mets, Alonso stated, “Playing for this organization, this city — they’ve continued to believe in me. I love playing here. I’ve greatly appreciated it and will always be grateful for each day.” He expressed uncertainty about the future, adding, “Nothing is guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens. I’ve loved being a Met. Hopefully, they’ve appreciated me the same.”

In addition, closer Edwin Díaz, who concluded his season with a 1.63 ERA and recorded 28 saves, mentioned he has not yet made any decisions regarding his own opt-out clause in a five-year, $102 million deal he inked in November 2022, which also includes an opt-out after the third year.

“I love this organization,” Díaz remarked. “They’ve treated me really well,” highlighting his positive experience with the Mets.

As both players navigate their contract situations, Alonso’s opt-out decision could significantly impact the Mets’ offseason plans as they look to solidify their roster for the coming season.