The Baltimore Orioles and free agent first baseman Pete Alonso are in agreement on a five-year deal worth $155 million. The five-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year will head to Baltimore after seven illustrious seasons with the New York Mets. Alonso heads to Camden Yards to become a cornerstone veteran presence in a young an exciting infield alongside Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, and Jordan Westburg.
Pete Alonso was one of the premier free agents coming into this offseason as the Mets franchise career leader in home runs with 264. Additionally, Alonso is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, tallying a career high in hits, doubles, and average while winning his first career silver slugger. Alonso will join former Mets reliever Ryan Helsley in Baltimore who recently signed with the club as well.
This, the biggest signing of the David Rubenstein era in Baltimore, is what Oriole fans have been waiting to see. Splashes in free agency. Alonso’s contract will be the second biggest contract in franchise history.
Where Does Alonso Fit?
With a player of Alonso’s caliber, a lineup always has room for him. The Orioles front office had made it clear that they were interested in pitchers this offseason. However, a veteran power bat was certainly still on the radar. Just days after missing out on MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Orioles inked the other top bat in this free agent class.
Alonso has played every game in each of the last two seasons. The two-time Home Run Derby champion will provide a powerful presence in the middle an otherwise young Orioles lineup. The only season in Alonso’s career where he didn’t hit more than 34 home runs was in the shortened 2020 season. The Polar Bear will in all likelihood rotate between first base and designated hitter for the Orioles.
On top of being the all-time home runs leader in Queens, Alonso is Top Ten in other statistical categories. Those stats include WAR, runs, slugging percentage, runs batted in, and OPS.
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