Free agent first baseman Pete Alonso remains unsigned as January hits its midway point, and the New York Mets are starting to explore other options at first base. Four-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The Mets and Pete Alonso appear to be deadlocked in contract negotiations. There has been zero movement on either side since former Mets general manager Jim Duquette reported that Alonso’s camp reached out to the Mets with an offer to re-sign him last Friday.

For free agents, spring training is something of a soft signing deadline. No one wants to be without a job when camp opens. Free agents want to know where they're playing, where they're going to live,

Given their need for a first baseman going into the 2025 season with Pete Alonso still available as a free agent, the New York Mets checked in with

There were reasons to expect Alonso might follow them down this road. Alonso reportedly turned down an extension offer of seven years and $158MM back in the summer of 2023. He still had one arbitration season to go at that point,

At some point the Mets either have to hear that Alonso is willing to accept their financial view of him or will get more aggressive elsewhere, probably pretty soon.

Alonso remains the top power hitter available, but as a first baseman with little value outside of his bat, his market has not developed as he hoped. Most recently, the four-time All-Star’s camp extended an exclusive offer to the Mets, believed to be for three years with a high average annual value.

The New York Mets want to incorporate another slugger, preferably an infielder. They have been linked to Alex Bregman, and

The New York Mets remain interested in bringing Pete Alonso back, but it appears the first baseman will have to accept a short-term deal for it to happen.

Brandon Tierney sees the Pete Alonso situation being similar to how the Giants handled Saquon Barkley and the decreased value of the running back.