The Juan Soto sweepstakes are currently dominating headlines, leaving little attention for Pete Alonso’s free agency decision, which would typically be a major topic in any offseason. With Soto overshadowing Alonso, the impact of Alonso’s potential move is often overlooked, but where he ends up could be significant. A return to the Mets is far from certain, especially if they secure Soto. ESPN’s David Schoenfield predicts that instead of re-signing with New York, Alonso will sign a six-year, $159 million deal with the Washington Nationals, an NL East rival.
Schoenfield points out that the Nationals, a young team, are in desperate need of a power hitter after ranking near the bottom in home runs last season. Alonso would provide exactly that, in addition to bringing veteran leadership to guide the team’s emerging stars like James Wood and Dylan Crews. His signing would also fill a key gap at first base. Furthermore, Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, has a strong history of negotiating big deals with the Nationals’ ownership, the Lerner family.
Although the Nationals have not been linked to Alonso so far, the fit makes sense. The proposed $159 million contract may be on the low side, as many expect Alonso to secure around $30 million per year, totaling $180 million over six years. Regardless, adding Alonso to Washington’s young core would be a major step toward revitalizing the team.
