Home>baseballNews> Metropolitan powerhouse "Polar Bear" Alonso is set to become a free agent, reportedly seeking a contract of at least seven years. >

Metropolitan powerhouse "Polar Bear" Alonso is set to become a free agent, reportedly seeking a contract of at least seven years.

Following the Mets’ defeat in their season finale, their playoff hopes were dashed. The team’s powerful first baseman, "Polar Bear" Alonso, promptly declared he would opt out of his contract and officially enter the free agent market. Turning 31 in December, Alonso is said to have made his contract requests known.

Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Alonso is seeking a contract of no less than seven years. It is common for players to raise their value before hitting free agency, but securing a seven-year deal would be surprising. This contract would cover Alonso’s seasons from age 31 to 37, and given his currently average defensive skills, it is not easy for a first baseman known primarily for his power hitting to obtain such a lengthy guarantee.

For comparison, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman signed a six-year, $162 million deal in 2022 that runs through age 37. However, Freeman is an MVP winner with near Hall of Fame credentials, a level Alonso has yet to reach. In fact, very few first basemen receive contracts that extend into their late 30s. The St. Louis Cardinals gave Paul Goldschmidt a five-year, $130 million deal in 2019 that only covers through age 36; Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson signed an eight-year, $168 million extension that guarantees him only through his age-35 season.

Last year, Alonso signed a two-year, $54 million short-term contract with the Mets. Even if he does not secure a seven-year deal, he is likely to receive a better offer than last season. This year, he played all 162 games for the second consecutive season, hitting 41 doubles to tie for the National League lead, along with 38 home runs, a .272 batting average, a .347 on-base percentage, and a .524 slugging percentage, maintaining solid overall performance.

More importantly, any team signing Alonso will not have to forfeit draft picks. Since he declined the Mets’ qualifying offer last year, he will enter the market as a pure free agent, which is expected to spark competition among multiple teams.

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