Red Sox Pete Alonso Free Agency Rumors: Yankees, Mets In The Mix?

The Pete Alonso rumors are coming fast and furious at the GM Meetings this week in Las Vegas, Nev.

Yes, the Boston Red Sox remain interested in the New York Mets first baseman. His agent, Scott Boras, thinks Beantown makes sense for the five-time All-Star slugger. In fact, Boras said Alonso is open to taking some at-bats as designated hitter, which enhances the Red Sox’s chances.

“Pete at this point is about winning, no doubt,” Boras said, according to the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey. “[Teams inquiring about Alonso] all talk about his durability. He’s a guy that really has a nature about him where it’s just his duty, no matter how he feels or what he does, to be on the field.”

King Of Queens

Of course, a return to Queens remains in the cards as well. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports the Mets have opened contract talks with Alonso.

“The nice start to discussions could possibly bode well for the Mets’ chances to retain Alonso,” Heyman reports. “But his market should be much more robust this year than last year after a much better season, no qualifying offer attachment and an apparent willingness to do more DHing despite being a year older. 

“Mets baseball president David Stearns said at his media session he’d very much like to have Alonso back, and he’s telling people that Alonso’s presence is important as a terrific producer and also as a protector for superstar Juan Soto,” Heyman added.

Other teams in the mix, according to Heyman, are the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays.

Bronx Tale

What about the Yankees, you ask? Just yesterday it seemed like moving to the Bronx was on the table for Alonso. Not so fast, says NJ.com’s Randy Miller.

“The Yankees likely will pass on trying to sign Pete Alonso and all of the other free agent first basemen because they envision Ben Rice manning the position in 2026 after a breakout first full season in the majors,” Miller reports.

“I view Ben Rice as having an everyday role in the big leagues for us next year,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, according to Miller. “Right now the lane is first base. As of right now, he’s in our lineup and the more likely spot would be first base.”

Alonso was a free agent last winter and didn’t find a multi-year, nine-figure contract to his liking so he returned to the Mets, who gave him a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause.

The two-time Home Run Derby champion said after the regular season ended he would opt out of his contract and hit the open market, which he did last week.

The 30-year-old Alonso hit 38 home runs this season, which was eighth-best in the majors, and drove in 126 runs, second only to Schwarber.

Alonso, a home-grown Mets star, spent seven seasons in Queens. This year he became the franchise’s all-time home run leader, surpassing eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry.