Despite hitting 34 home runs last season, it was still considered a down year for New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
His home run total dropped by 12 from 2023 when he launched 46 long balls. Over the last three seasons, Alonso has seen significant declines across his offensive metrics: batting average (.271 to .240), slugging percentage (.518 to .459), on-base percentage (.352 to .329), OPS (.869 to .788), OPS+ (146 to 123), RBI (131 to 88), and WAR (4.4 to 2.6).
It was a contentious offseason for Alonso due to his dip in production and being viewed as a one-dimensional player who doesn’t play good defense or run well. After months in limbo, he finally signed a two-year, $54 million contract to return to Queens, with an opt-out after the first season. He will be making $30 million in 2025.
Notably, Alonso agreed to a deal that was over $100 million less than an extension the Mets offered in 2023 — seven years, $158 million.
Alonso is coming back to a drastically different lineup as the Mets have added generational superstar Juan Soto. Can Alonso have a bounce-back season with Soto now in the mix?
Steamer projects how many home runs Pete Alonso, Juan Soto will hit for Mets in 2025
According to projection system Steamer, Alonso is expected to raise his home run total with Soto in the lineup. The system forecasts 36 home runs for Alonso while projecting 35 for Soto. Additionally, Alonso’s slugging percentage is expected to climb to .473, with his OPS reaching .802 and RBI total hitting 100.
Pete Alonso and Juan Soto are projected to form a powerful duo in Queens 😤 pic.twitter.com/apQLeydWb2
— MLB (@MLB) February 12, 2025
Soto’s projections are equally impressive, with an anticipated slash line of .282/.421/.537, 114 runs scored, 97 RBI, and an 18.9% walk rate. If he hits those numbers, Soto could finally win his first MVP award of his career.
Related: Pete Alonso re-signs with New York Mets for over $100 million less than team initially offered