Pete Alonso is an old-school star: a big name with big power who played in a big market. Since his rookie season in the majors in 2019, only Aaron Judge has hit more home runs — and no one has driven in more runs. He was named to four All-Star teams, won two Home Run Derby titles, played with great enthusiasm and energy, and rarely sat out a game.

But it’s a new-school world and Alonso’s free agency has been a slow process as front offices focus on his age (he begins his season at 30) and his relatively mediocre on-base percentages over the last two seasons (.318 and .329). focus), his career-low slugging percentage in 2024 (.459), and his lack of defensive and baserunning value.

All of this has made Alonso the most intriguing free agent this offseason. Is he worth a nine-figure contract based on his consistent performance numbers? Is it overrated? Did agent Scott Boras misjudge the demand for one of his clients again? Perhaps a return to the New York Mets is inevitable, especially since the Alonso camp has proposed a three-year deal to the Mets with opt-outs – a big difference from the seven-year, $158 million contract offer that Alonso reportedly rejected earlier this year 2023. (Just because Alonso may be willing to sign a shorter-term contract doesn’t necessarily mean the AAV will also go down.)

Let’s take a closer look at Alonso’s situation and see – despite his stunning home run and RBI totals – whether he’s worth a big deal and which teams could potentially fit the bill.