MIAMI (AP) — Pete Alonso has announced he will opt out of his contract with the New York Mets and enter free agency again, following the team’s failure to make the playoffs this season.
Alonso previously tested the free agent market last offseason before deciding to stay with the franchise that drafted him in 2016 out of Florida. In February, he signed a two-year, $54 million contract that paid him $30 million this season, with a $24 million player option for the next year.
The All-Star first baseman indicated he would like to return to the Mets once more but emphasized his desire to win a championship.
“There’s some great guys in this clubhouse, there’s some great people on the staff,” Alonso said. “And every single day, it’s just been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue. I’ve really appreciated it and been nothing but full of gratitude every single day. Nothing’s guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens. I’ve loved being a Met, so hopefully they’ve appreciated me in the same way.”
At 30 years old, Alonso earned his fifth All-Star selection this season, batting a career-best .272 with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs, and a career-high 41 doubles. Along the way, he broke the Mets’ franchise record for home runs, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s previous mark of 252.
“I think the biggest thing is, I want to win,” Alonso said. “I know we didn’t this year, but we had the right pieces — I think we just didn’t do it. At the beginning of the year, you just want to have the best possible chance to hold up the trophy at the end and see yourself being a champion. So for me, it’s why I do this. I want to be on top of the mountain. I want to win a World Series. That’s the ultimate goal.”
The Mets entered Sunday’s regular-season finale needing a win and a Cincinnati loss at Milwaukee to make the playoffs. However, New York could not overcome a four-run fourth inning by the Miami Marlins and was eliminated from postseason contention following a 4-0 loss.