Mets Would 'Love' to Re-Sign Pete Alonso After Juan Soto Contract, David Stearns Says

After landing the biggest star in free agency, the New York Mets are shifting their focus to retaining one of their current stars.

The team signed Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million deal Sunday and is hoping to re-sign star first baseman Pete Alonso.

"We'd love to bring Pete (Alonso) back," Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said, per Newsday's Tim Healy.

When asked whether Alonso would fit into the Mets' budget after the Soto signing, Stearns seemed confident the team's ownership could make it happen.

"I think our ownership has consistently demonstrated that there's going to be resources when we need them," Stearns said. "There is the ability for us to make baseball moves when we think that they're there to improve the team and we're going to continue to pursue a wide variety of areas to continue to improve our team."

Soto's massive contract will make a significant impact on the Mets' payroll as they'll have to account for an additional $51 million per year, but owner Steve Cohen proved he's willing to spend if it means putting New York in a place to succeed.

Alonso, who has spent his entire career with the Mets, reportedly declined a seven-year, $158 million extension in 2023, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, likely in hopes of getting a larger deal this offseason.

The 30-year-old hit 34 homers and knocked in 88 RBI in 2024, recording a .240 batting average and .788 OPS. He's had 30 or more home runs in all but one season and will likely field significant offers before he makes his decision.

Before the end of the season, Alonso was linked to the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. In November, one MLB executive projected him to sign with the Washington Nationals, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

Whether Alonso will stick with his current team is to be determined, but Stearns indicated that the Mets are prepared to make him an enticing offer.

Should the Mets retain Alonso, it's hard to imagine he and Soto wouldn't make them an early favorite to make a World Series run. New York reached the NLCS a season ago, and the addition of one of the best players in baseball could be what helps the Mets snap a championship drought that's lasted since 1986.