Pete Alonso to O's: PC Reaction

Pete Alonso, now of the Baltimore Orioles (MLB)

The Polar Bear will be taking bird baths in Baltimore after eating buckets of crabs covered in old bay seasoning. Pete Alonso has signed for 5 years/ $155M, a luxury tax hit of $31M, instantly becoming the primary power source for the young Orioles lineup. This is extremely similar to the 5 year/ $150M deal signed by Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies earlier this week, but Pete is a few years younger, turning 31 just a few days ago. Alonso has hit .253/.338/.504/.842 over the last five seasons while averaging 39 bombs a year. He’s very durable, and is known to be a plus presence in the clubhouse. The Orioles badly needed veteran voices in the locker room, as well as some starting pitching. Though they have yet to acquire the latter, they now have two veterans in Pete and recently acquired Taylor Ward. They’ll get another shot at a nine-figure contract for a first baseman (see Chris Davis). Presumably, the All Star first baseman will hit cleanup behind Gunnar as shown below.

Orioles 2026 Projected Lineup (Fangraphs)

For Pete’s part, he was able to find a permanent home early into the winter meetings, contrasting with his seemingly never ending negotiations last year with Steve Cohen. Alonso is also making $31M AAV, tying Miggy Cabrera’s record-setting extension back in 2014, and placing 2nd all time at first base behind only Vladdy’s new megadeal. Alonso got the years he wanted, AAV he wanted (or close to it), and didn’t have to labor for months in negotiations. He can rest easy and enjoy Christmas with his young family. 

Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles Contract (Spotrac)

Regarding the market now for everyone else, sluggers are quickly coming off the board with Schwarber and Pete signing. Both Japanese sluggers, Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto are available, as are Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Geno Suárez, and Cody Bellinger. There is a big falloff after that, particularly in the infield. There are plenty of teams that need a bat like those named above, and it appears there will be one or two front offices left without a chair when the music stops. With the Phillies’ and O’s recent transactions, you can take them off the list. You still have the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, Angels, etc. to name a few. I had Polar Bear going to the Reds, but this is an exciting alternative. Mike Elias needs to put the pedal to the metal and get the O’s to the Fall Classic for the first time since their magical 1983 season!