With their sights set firmly on the 2026 season, the Baltimore Orioles have begun reinforcing their roster with the determination they promised after a disappointing 2025 campaign that derailed their hopes of reaching the World Series.
On Wednesday, December 10, the organization made headlines by demonstrating that it intends to build a lineup capable of inspiring both fear and respect across the league. True to that objective, the Orioles are moving aggressively as they prepare for the year ahead.
The centerpiece of their latest move is first baseman Pete Alonso, who has secured a massive contract that the New York Mets ultimately could not match. As a result, Alonso will be taking on a new chapter next year, hoping to maintain the formidable power at the plate that defined his 2025 season.
Baltimore has offered him a $155 million deal, which marks the highest Average Annual Value for any first baseman at $31 million. In addition, he will receive another $30 million for the prior year, bringing his total earnings to $185 million.
For Alonso, 2025 was a dream season, one that showcased his reliability and impressive offensive consistency. He finished with a .272 average, 170 hits, 38 home runs, and 126 RBIs, numbers that positioned him to secure a contract filled with zeros and high expectations.
A Baltimore Orioles overhaul is coming in 2026
His arrival signals a broader shift within the Orioles’ front office, which is intent on rebuilding the roster to become a legitimate contender capable of challenging the Los Angeles Dodgers. Baltimore ended last season in last place in the American League East with a 75-87 record, a result that leadership is determined not to repeat.
With Edwin Díaz departing for the Dodgers, the Mets were under intense pressure to retain their star first baseman, but Baltimore’s offer ultimately proved too strong, decisively shaping Alonso’s future.
The Orioles believe he will deliver exactly what they need: a power-hitting, run-producing, reliable presence capable of anchoring the lineup and pushing the club toward a postseason return. Alonso is a fully established MLB talent, a five-time All-Star who was the 2019 Rookie of the Year and who added the 2025 NL Silver Slugger to his resumé.
Pete Alonso breaks a milestone among MLB first basemen
With this historic contract, Alonso surpasses the previous benchmarks set by Freddie Freeman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., officially becoming the highest-paid first baseman in Major League Baseball.
In 2022, Freeman received a six-year, $162 million deal, while Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500 million agreement with an annual value of $27 million. Alonso’s record-setting figure places him atop the position financially and solidifies his role as a central piece in Baltimore’s ambitious effort to reshape its competitive identity for the years ahead. The franchise believes his presence will elevate expectations throughout Baltimore.
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