What the heck is a polar bear doing in Baltimore?
The deal gives Alonso the highest average annual value ever for a first baseman.
It is also the second richest contract ever handed out by the Orioles, trailing only Chris Davis’s $161-million deal signed in 2016.
Alonso spent the first seven years of his career with the New York Mets.
In 2025, the 31-year-old delivered one of the strongest offensive seasons of his career. Alonso slashed .271/.347/.524 with 38 home runs, 41 doubles and 126 RBIs in 162 games.
For his efforts at the dish, Alonso was named to his fifth career NL All-Star Team and won his first career Silver Slugger award.
During his big season at the plate, Alonso made Mets history, breaking the franchise record for career homers. He blasted his 253rd shot on Aug. 13 to pass Darryl Strawberry, who had held the record since 1988.
Alonso became a free agent for the second straight winter after opting out of his two-year, $54-million contract he signed to return to the Mets last off-season.
While New York has struggled to make the post-season during Alonso’s career, he has been a strong playoff performer when the Mets have advanced to October. In 16 career playoff games, the “Polar Bear” has a 1.003 OPS, five home runs and 11 RBIs.
Alonso’s departure marks the second franchise pillar to leave the Mets for a new team this off-season. Star closer Edwin Díaz inked a three-year, $69-million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.
Alonso will now join an Orioles club looking to bounce back in 2026. After making the playoffs in the two prior seasons, Baltimore finished last in the AL East in 2025 with a 75-87 record.
Baltimore has been one of the most active teams this winter before landing Alonso. It had already signed closer Ryan Helsley to a two-year deal and traded starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward.
