Mets' Alonso plans to opt out, re-enter free agency
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso plans to opt out of his contract once the offseason officially begins.
The slugger announced his intentions shortly after the Mets were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Alonso, who's spent his entire career with the Mets, will give up a guaranteed $24-million salary in 2026 to re-enter free agency.
Pete Alonso says he will opt out and become a free agent this offseason
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 28, 2025
On his future with the Mets: "Playing for this organization, this city - they've continued to believe in me. I love playing here. There's some great guys in this clubhouse, some great people on the staff.… pic.twitter.com/Lpa32DEEno
The 30-year-old tested the open market for the first time last winter but struggled to find a contract to his liking. After protracted negotiations with the Mets, he finally re-signed in February on a two-year, $54-million deal that included a 2026 player option.
Alonso played in all 162 games for the Mets this season, hitting a career-best .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs across 624 plate appearances. In August, he passed Darryl Strawberry to become the Mets' all-time home-run leader.
Despite Alonso becoming one of the faces of the franchise over his seven-year tenure in Flushing, the Mets have made just two playoff appearances since he debuted in 2019. He plans to make winning a priority when choosing his next team.
"I think the biggest thing is - I want to win," Alonso said, according to SNY. "I know we didn't this year, but we had the right pieces, I think. We just didn't do it."
He added, "I want to be on top of the mountain. I want to win a World Series."
The Mets have a second star player, closer Edwin Díaz, who can opt out of his contract this winter. Díaz said Sunday that he has yet to make a decision about his future.