When Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, the move stunned portions of the baseball world, but not necessarily because it happened. Industry observers had sensed for months that New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was reluctant to commit long-term money to the homegrown slugger. Now, Alonso has addressed his exit.
What intensified the reaction among segments of the Mets fanbase was the revelation that the organization never extended a formal offer before Alonso departed.
For a player who debuted in 2019 and evolved into the franchise’s all-time home run leader, the lack of a last-minute push struck many as a cold ending.
In a recent conversation with David Lennon of Newsday, Alonso addressed whether that absence of urgency from New York bothered him.
“For me, there’s no need to think about the what-ifs and the hypotheticals because I’m so appreciated here,” Alonso said.
“To where it’s like I feel so comfortable, so awesome with this group, that I don’t need to look back. I’m beyond happy here, so there’s no reason for me to think anything else other than this organization winning a World Series.”
Those comments signal a clean emotional break. Known as the “Polar Bear,” Alonso became synonymous with the Mets throughout the early 2020s.
His prodigious power, durability and clubhouse presence made him one of the organization’s most recognizable figures. He repeatedly expressed a desire during the 2024 and 2025 seasons to remain in Queens long term. However, the front office charted a different course.
A franchise reset in Queens
The 2025 campaign added complexity to the decision. The Mets stormed to a 45-24 record by June 12 before unraveling in a dramatic second-half collapse that ultimately left them outside the playoff picture.
Reports of internal friction followed, and the offseason brought sweeping changes. Alongside Alonso, Stearns parted ways with star closer Edwin Diaz, veteran outfielder Brandon Nimmo and versatile infielder Jeff McNeil.
The departures reflected a broader recalibration rather than an isolated contract dispute. For Alonso, the situation was less about unfinished business and more about opportunity.
“Beyond grateful for the experience,” Alonso said about his Mets tenure. “But my biggest priority is to win for this team and the city of Baltimore.
“I’m beyond appreciative for the past, but it’s the past. I need to focus on the present and the future.”
Mets owner Steve Cohen admitted he understood why Mets fans were angry with his exit.
“I can totally understand how the fans felt when they’re losing players that they develop relationships with,” he said.
“Listen, change is hard. With Pete, under the right circumstances, we could have gotten something done. But we weren’t going to go five years… we just decided it wasn’t going to work for us.”
Moving on to Baltimore
That focus now shifts to a rising Orioles club built around a dynamic young core and postseason aspirations. Baltimore has prioritized impact bats to complement its developing roster, and Alonso‘s track record of 40-plus home run potential immediately lengthens the lineup.
Still, the slugger has not erased his history in Queens: “It was a part of the journey,” Alonso added about his time with the Mets. “I’d like to think I made a lot of great memories, and I’ll carry those memories for the rest of my life.”
The chapter in New York may have closed without a final offer, but Alonso has made clear he carries no public resentment.
His eyes are now fixed squarely on October baseball in Baltimore, and on transforming his new team into World Series contenders.
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