The Mets and first baseman Pete Alonso have agreed on a one-year, $14.5 million contract to avoid arbitration, a source briefed on the matter confirmed to The Athletic on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
In March, Alonso and the Mets agreed on a $7.4 million salary for 2022, avoiding arbitration in Alonso’s first year eligible for it.
The two-time All-Star posted a .271 batting average with 40 home runs and a career-high and league-leading 131 RBIs during the 2022 season.
He will be a free agent after 2024.
Backstory
Alonso, 28, joined the Mets in 2019, earning an All-Star nod, as well as All-MLB First Team honors. He led the league that season with 53 home runs. In 2022, he returned to the All-Star Game and proved durable yet again, appearing in 160 games as the Mets marched to the postseason.
Friday was the deadline for teams to exchange salary figures with their arbitration-eligible players. The $14.5 million for Alonso is a record for a first baseman in his second time through the process — a record he shares with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as of Friday. José Abreu with the White Sox at $13 million was the previous record. Abreu then received $17 million in his third time.
Entering his age-28 season and after just four seasons, Alonso already has 146 home runs, a .884 career OPS and two top-10 MVP finishes. Whether he eventually signs an extension with the Mets or goes into free agency, he is in line to receive a massive payday.
