Orioles Welcome Pete Alonso

Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images

December 12, 2025

The Baltimore Orioles gave a warm welcome to their new first baseman Pete Alonso on Friday during an introductory press conference at Camden Yards. Alonso, the five-time All-Star, signed with the Orioles on a five-year, $155 million deal Wednesday.

“Pete Alonso has been one of the elite sluggers in all of Major League Baseball since debuting in 2019,” President of Baseball Operations and general manager Mike Elias said. “Since then, he’s been one of the most consistent, prolific and durable players.”

Before joining the AL East, Alonso spent a memorable seven seasons with the New York Mets. He had three seasons where he hit more than 40 home runs and four where he reached over 100 RBI. He appeared in all 162 games for the past two seasons and hit a career high of 41 doubles last season. Alonso ended his Mets tenure as the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year, a two-time Home Run Derby champion and a 2025 NL Silver Slugger.

“When we had the opportunity to engage with him this winter, we were looking for a guy to galvanize the young talent we have in our lineup. He was right at the top of the list,” Elias added.

Alonso will join an already talented Orioles lineup featuring Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday. He will likely switch between playing first base and designated hitter, similar to what he did with the Mets.

Orioles Impressed Pete Alonso

At the start of Alonso’s press conference he made it a point to explain why he was impressed by the organization’s offer.

“I was impressed with the sheer detail and laying everything out there, whether it be from not just the talent they have, but they have a ton of examples of what we look like,” the first baseman told the press. “Most importantly, the biggest thing is how they see the game and the future moving forward.”

Coming off a 91–71 record in 2024, the Orioles looked to have another dominant season. However, that’s not how things played out this season ending 75–87 and in last place in the AL East. To bounce back from the lackluster season, the front office needed to make moves. The Orioles traded for outfielder Taylor Ward and signed reliever Ryan Helsley, Pete Alonso’s former teammate.

“Their passion for winning and vision for what they are willing to do because what they told me is, hey, this is where we see you and how we are going to get there,” Alonso said. “You’re going to be a big part of winning a championship. To me, as a player, their giving me the entire blueprint is extremely refreshing.”

Championship Aspirations

The Orioles have three World Series titles, with the latest coming in 1983. They will look to Alonso, who was unable to accomplish that feat in his first seven seasons. The farthest Alonso reached with the Mets was the 2024 NLCS. Still, he knows a thing or two about playoff baseball. That year, he hit a two-run home run during the bottom of the ninth in game three of the NL Wild Card round. His heroic performance saved the Mets from elimination.

“As the free agent process starts, you really don’t know what’s going to happen,” Alonso added. “It’s kind of this weird baseball limbo. As we got further along, the Orioles partnership for me was just head and shoulders above everybody else.”