Orioles could pursue Pete Alonso on one condition, per insider

The Baltimore Orioles might need to make one move before signing Pete Alonso in free agency.

Sep 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts while standing next to shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) after his at bat against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Orioles appear poised to make big moves in the free agency and trade markets this offseason, as both the team's ownership and its front office have asserted that the team has money to spend.

Most believe that Baltimore is going to prioritize signing a top-tier starting pitcher in free agency. Whether this could be Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, or another arm remains to be seen, but the Orioles are expected to court every impact starting pitcher on the market this winter.

Read more: Orioles' Mike Elias must get 'uncomfortable' to land top free agent, says ex-GM

Once this gets done (or perhaps even before it does), the team can then turn its attention toward adding offense. The good news is that Baltimore's offense is already in a good spot, assuming that its best players will rebound from disappointing individual 2025 campaigns. But the club could still use a slugger in the middle of their lineup, as they didn't have a single hitter produce more than 17 home runs last season.

This is why longtime New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (who has never hit less than 34 home runs in a full season) would appear to be a great fit.

New York Mets first base Pete Alonso (20) celebrates a solo home run against Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What Orioles Might Need to Secure Pete Alonso in Free Agency

Alonso is coming off the best offensive season of his MLB career, as he hit .272 with an .871 OPS, 38 home runs, and 126 RBIs in 2025. However, he also had the worst defensive season of his MLB career, which is shown by his -8 Fielding Run Value.

Because of this, many feel like Alonso might be better suited to being a full-time DH rather than sticking at first base.

Scott Boras was asked if Pete Alonso is open to doing more DHing if he goes back to the Mets:

"I think Pete at this point in his career, he's about winning, no doubt. Had that question a lot. There's no doubt that Pete's pursuers are prime to pay the power piper. Pete picked a… pic.twitter.com/JyPV6JBnDQ

— SNY (@SNYtv) November 12, 2025

Regardless, the Orioles already have a logjam at both first base and DH, given that Ryan Mountcastle is rostered and Samuel Basallo is expected to split time at both positions while also backing Adley Rutschman up at catcher. This makes it tough to see how Alonso would fit on Baltimore's roster right now.

But ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan proposed a solution to this in a November 18 article by writing, "Alonso's willingness to play designated hitter offers the sorts of avenues a first-base-only mindset wouldn't... If Ryan Mountcastle is traded or nontendered, split the first-base and DH jobs in Baltimore with rookie Samuel Basallo, who will also spend plenty of time at catcher."

News in the offseason preview: Not only are the Pittsburgh Pirates going to spend this winter, they’re strongly considering giving the No. 1 prospect in baseball, 19-year-old Konnor Griffin, the opportunity to win their Opening Day shortstop job. Details: https://t.co/wCaimtSPZ9

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 18, 2025

In other words, Mountcastle might have to get traded for Alonso to be a realistic Orioles free agency option. And this is certainly something Baltimore should consider if it might mean landing one of baseball's most reliable power-hitters.