The Los Angeles Angels are still in the running for free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, but most experts believe he will end up back with the New York Mets by the end of the offseason.
At 30 years old, Alonso is the top first baseman available, but he hasn’t received the type of market interest he was hoping for. While the Angels have been linked to Alonso, they face competition from seven other teams for his services.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale suggests that Alonso might end up returning to the Mets on a short-term deal with an opt-out, as there are eight teams showing interest, including the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox. However, many teams have already filled their first base positions, leaving Alonso still available.
Although the Angels don’t have an immediate need at first base with Nolan Schanuel in their young core, they are looking for another power bat to complement Jorge Soler and Mike Trout in the lineup.
In 2024, Alonso hit .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs. While he’s known for his power, there are concerns about how his performance might decline as he ages, especially since his numbers last season weren’t as strong as from 2019 to 2022. The Angels may take Alonso’s age into account in their decision, though other recent additions are also in their 30s.
Angels fans shouldn’t get their hopes up, as many reports predict Alonso will return to the Mets. MLB Network analyst Kevin Frandsen also believes Alonso might not be the right fit for the Angels. “It just doesn’t make sense in Anaheim,” Frandsen said, pointing out that with players like Schanuel, Soler, Trout, and the uncertainty around Anthony Rendon, Alonso may not align with the team’s current roster needs.
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