Video: Pete Alonso Says Mets Were 'Best Opportunity' in MLB Free Agency

A return to the New York Mets provided first baseman Pete Alonso with the "best opportunity."

“For me, this was it,” he told reporters. “I mean, throughout the entire offseason, we had the best dialogue from the Mets. For us, this was the best opportunity. I’m just really happy to be back. This was it.”

Alonso endured a lengthy free agency following the Mets' loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series before ultimately re-signing with New York in February on a $54 million contract.

Despite later telling reporters, "For me, this was it," regarding his return to the Mets, team owner Steve Cohen previously described negotiations with Alonso as "exhausting." At one point, the organization strongly considered moving on from the first baseman, believing he had interest in landing elsewhere, per The Athletic.

“I didn’t know,” Mets baseball operations president David Stearns said last week, per The Athletic's Will Sammon. “At that point in time, I would’ve said there was a very real possibility that he was going to end up elsewhere. But ultimately, we’re thrilled that we were able to continue discussions and get a deal done.”

The 30-year-old played all 162 games last season, hitting 34 home runs with a .240 batting average. Despite not having his best season—including a career-low .788 OPS—he remained confident he could land a substantial contract in the offseason.

“No, for me, I didn’t have my best year last year,” Alonso said. “I definitely feel like I pushed the market forward a little bit. Making $30 million as a first baseman this year, it’s definitely an accomplishment, for sure, pushing the market forward for 30-year-old first basemen. For me, I think that’s a win. But also, I couldn’t expect something incredibly mega-long because I didn’t have my best year.”

Despite not securing what was initially projected to be a five-year deal worth at least $100 million, per Sammon, Alonso believed contract discussions would "take care" of themselves, allowing him to focus on the season ahead.

“There’s pressure every year,” he said, per Sammon. “This is the big leagues. With being in New York and last year for us, we wanted to make the playoffs and obviously win a World Series. The contract situation, all that will take care of itself as long as you play well. For me, I feel pressure to perform for my best season every year because this is the highest level.”

Alonso, now in his seventh year with the Mets—the only team he has played for—has the option to opt out of his 2026 contract and re-enter free agency. While some may see this as a potential hurdle in his long-term commitment to the organization, he believes his relationships within the team remain strong.

“It didn’t change any relationships at all,” Alonso said. “This has been home and it is home. Everybody in this organization has believed in me since I was drafted. There’s a reason why I was drafted here and a reason why I’m still here. Ultimately, however negotiations go, you put all that aside.”

The Mets kick off their season on March 27 with a road matchup against the Houston Astros.