The New York Mets believed they were buying time with Pete Alonso, but they may have simply put themselves on a clock.
Sometimes having flexibility in a contract feels like a triumph. However, when it comes to a generational power hitter, it may quickly become a risky proposition.
The two-year, $54 million contract signed by Alonso in early 2025 was meant to keep him in Queens and provide future choices, but it appears to be deteriorating by the week.
The Mets paid a premium for short-term stability, intending to return to a long-term arrangement later.
Now, that flexibility is beginning to feel like a mistake.
Alonso has a player option for 2026, so the Mets are already preparing to compete on the market if he maintains his current performance.
And make no mistake: he will keep doing this.
Red-hot numbers command a great deal.
Alonso is dominating the early part of the 2025 season.
He’s slicing. 308/.414/.574, with a.988 OPS and nine home runs.
These are not overblown numbers; they are supported by elite measures across the board.
Alonso’s average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit percentage are all in the top 98th percentile.
He’s not just swinging for the fences; he’s hitting baseballs with precision and power.
And when does it matter most? With runners in scoring position, he’s hitting.372/.517/.721, with an OPS of 1.238.
That is not simply clutch. That is foundational production.
Improving discipline lifts his ceiling even more.
Alonso’s 2025 campaign is even more noteworthy because to his improved plate discipline.
He walks at a pace of 13.3%, which puts him in the 87th percentile in the league.
His chase rate, whiff rate, and strikeout rate are all somewhat above average, indicating a significant improvement over previous seasons.
This is not a guy who hits home runs and hopes for the best. This is a polished slugger at his physical and mental best.
Alonso’s player option in 2026 allows for flexibility if he believes a larger deal is possible.
It seems like it was always going to happen.
Unless the Mets step in and provide a long-term extension during the season, they risk losing one of the game’s most fearsome hitters for free.
What’s the problem?
They didn’t want to offer him a long-term contract just months ago, and it could come back to haunt them in 2026.
Not the time to bet on cornerstone talent.
Alonso isn’t a defensive standout at first base, but his offensive value more than compensates.
Any contender would love to put him in the middle of their lineup, and his next contract will reflect this.
If the Mets are serious about developing a competitive core, losing Alonso next offseason would reverse nearly all of their gains.
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