Darryl Strawberry, the former New York Mets slugger and franchise home run leader, voiced strong surprise at Pete Alonso’s recent choice to leave the Mets in free agency. Alonso, who broke Strawberry’s club record last season with 253 home runs, signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles during the Winter Meetings. Strawberry finds this move shocking given Alonso’s potential to cement a legendary legacy with the Mets.
Speaking to reporters during spring training, Strawberry remarked on Alonso’s decision:
“I was really shocked that Pete would leave New York for Baltimore,”
Strawberry told reporters on Monday from spring training (h/t Laura Albanese, Newsday).
“Pete could have broken all the records and could have been on top of every offensive category for this organization, and then sometimes when you don’t see that and realize how important that is, one day he is going to wake up just like I did and regret you didn’t stick where you are at.”
Strawberry’s Own Experience Shapes His View on Loyalty
Strawberry’s reflection stems from his own turbulent past with the Mets. Amid numerous off-field challenges, Strawberry left New York after the 1990 season to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent, a move he later described as filled with regret. His personal experience fuels his belief that staying loyal to the Mets could have offered Alonso a more fulfilling and storied career.
Strawberry has frequently urged Alonso to remain “a lifer in Queens,” emphasizing how rare and valuable it is for a player like Alonso—a homegrown talent and elite offensive presence—to spend a full, healthy career within the Mets organization.
Negotiation Breakdown Between Alonso and the Mets
While Strawberry acknowledges Alonso’s agency in deciding his future, he also points to shared responsibility between the player and the Mets for not reaching a longer-term agreement. Following the 2024 season, Alonso and the Mets agreed to a two-year “prove-it” contract, which Alonso subsequently opted out of after the team’s failure to reach the postseason.
Alonso’s decision to opt out came immediately after the Mets’ elimination from contention, a move that Strawberry views as a serious error: “a significant mistake.” Moreover, the Mets did not present a contract offer to retain Alonso during the offseason, further complicating the situation and the possibility of a reunion.
Regarding this tension, Strawberry stated:
“I think they both could have fought harder in that situation,”
highlighting that both Alonso and the Mets share blame for the breakdown in negotiations.
Impact on the Mets and Future Prospects
Alonso’s departure marks a pivotal moment for the Mets, who lose an offensive powerhouse capable of rewriting their record books. Having a player of Alonso’s caliber, a homegrown star, stay with the team over his entire prime was a rare opportunity to build long-term franchise identity and fan loyalty. Strawberry’s warning underscores the critical importance of commitment and mutual effort in such sports relationships.
As the Orioles welcome Alonso under a lucrative contract, the Mets face the challenge of filling the void left by his exit, while also grappling with the lessons from this offseason’s negotiation failures. Strawberry’s apprehension suggests that Alonso may eventually regret leaving a team where he had the chance to define his legacy.
The unfolding situation serves as a cautionary tale within Major League Baseball about loyalty, contract talks, and the personal decisions athletes make in their careers.
