Orioles make bold move: will the $155 million gamble pay off for Baltimore?

Los Baltimore Orioles have reached a five-year, $155 million agreement with Pete Alonso, a contract that sets the highest average annual salary ever for a first baseman. The deal includes no opt-outs or deferrals and provides only limited no-trade protection.

Alonso arrives from the New York Mets after seven seasons, joining the departure of closer Edwin Díaz, who left for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last season, Alonso played all 162 games and earned his first Silver Slugger after hitting .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs and 41 doubles, the top mark in the National League. His production offers an immediate boost for an Orioles lineup in which no player hit more than 17 home runs.

Baltimore is aiming to recover the relevance it lost last year. The team finished at the bottom of the American League East after making back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. They are now expected to target pitching help, with growing interest in free-agent left-handers Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez.

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