The “Polar Bear” is set to ignite a “frenzied” bidding war, with the Giants, Cubs, and Red Sox emerging as top suitors for the 2025 Silver Slugger winner, who no longer has draft-pick compensation attached.
NEW YORK — The “Polar Bear” is officially on the market, and the bidding war is set to be “frenzied.”
Pete Alonso, the 2025 National League Silver Slugger winner, has officially opted out of the final year of his contract with the New York Mets, declining a $24 million player option for 2026 to become an unrestricted free agent.
After failing to secure the long-term deal he wanted last winter, Alonso placed a massive bet on himself—and won. His “career-best” 2025 campaign (.272 AVG, 38 HR, 126 RBI) has positioned the soon-to-be 31-year-old as one of the most coveted power bats in baseball.
Even better for his bank account: Alonso is not eligible to receive a qualifying offer. This means any team can sign him without forfeiting a draft pick, a factor that is expected to dramatically increase the number of teams in the running.
Mets “Expected to Let Him Walk”
The “expectation” around the league is that the Mets will let their franchise home run king walk away “unless he takes a team-friendly deal,” according to reports. The Mets are said to be hesitant to give a long-term, “mega-deal” to a first baseman entering his 30s.
That “mega-deal” is exactly what Alonso is projected to get. Contract projections from various outlets are massive, ranging from four years, $110 million to a “historic” seven-year, $210 million pact. Most experts have him landing a deal in the five-year, $140M-$150M range.
The Top Suitors Emerge
With the Mets likely out, a clear list of power-hungry contenders has emerged as the top landing spots.
- San Francisco Giants: The Giants are a “predicted” top landing spot. They have missed on every major slugger they’ve pursued for years (including Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt) and are desperate for a legitimate, middle-of-the-order power bat to build around.
- Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have been “consistently mentioned” as a perfect fit. While they are publicly linked to Alex Bregman, many see Alonso as a more direct and impactful offensive upgrade. With their reported $100M+ in payroll space, they have the money to make it happen.
- Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox are another “obvious fit,” especially if they lose fellow free agent Alex Bregman. Boston has been searching for a consistent 100+ RBI power bat, and Alonso would be a perfect match for the Green Monster.
The Seattle Mariners have also been named a “dark horse” team that could pair Alonso with Cal Raleigh to create one of the most formidable “Dump and Thump” power combinations in baseball.
