The Baltimore Orioles and Pete Alonso recently agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract in free agency. It was a bold move for an Orioles ball club that doesn’t often spend big when free agency comes around. Baltimore clearly wants to compete following a disappointing 2025 season, but was signing Alonso the right move?
The decision to bring in the 31-year-old slugger has been praised for the most part so far. Alonso, a five-time All-Star, is one of the best right-handed power hitters in the entire sport. He’s a lock to give you 35-45 home runs. Additionally, Alonso has been able to stay healthy for the most part in his career, appearing in at least 152 games in each of his big league seasons (the shortened 2020 season being the exception, but he still appeared in 57 of the 60 regular season games played that year).
With all of that being said, is there any reason for concern with the signing?
Concern around Pete Alonso addition?
Alonso strikes out quite a bit. That’s not the end of the world, as his power output makes up for it.
It is worth noting that Alonso’s 8.6 percent walk rate in 2025 was a career-low. He still turned in a .347 OBP, but one has to wonder if Alonso will give the O’s consistently quality at-bats. He is set to enter a deep lineup, so opposing pitchers likely won’t work around him all that often. As a result, his walk rate could decrease even more.
Camden Yards is a difficult ball park for right-handed sluggers to find success in, and Alonso doesn’t offer a whole lot offensively other than power. It’s 333 feet down the left field line and just over 370 feet to left center. While the left field fence was moved in for 2025, the dimensions still make it challenging for right-handed hitters.
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Alonso’s power shouldn’t be overly-impacted, though. He’s still probably going to hit at least 35 home runs on a consistent basis, especially with a deep lineup around him.
The Orioles also only signed Alonso to a five-year deal. It isn’t as if they will be paying him into his early 40’s. Alonso could still be producing quality power numbers at 35 and 36 years old.
Final verdict
The aforementioned concerns are minimal. Alonso will have an opportunity to enjoy a terrific five years in Baltimore. The signing projects to be one of the best of the offseason.
