“It’s pain, it’s frustration — you name it.” That’s what the skipper said after game 162 of the Mets’ 4-0 shutout loss to the Marlins, officially ending NYM’s postseason hopes. But as if missing October wasn’t harsh enough, there was another blow. Their $54 million bat, who has taken first base 941 times in his Mets career, also bids farewell to Queens.

Pete Alonso. The 30-year-old first baseman started the year with a two-year deal he signed last offseason—with a player option (or opt-out) after this year. He played all 162 games in 2025, hitting .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs. The Polar Bear became the only player in Mets history to reach 253 career home runs, surpassing David Wright’s long-standing record earlier this season.

The decision of Pete Alonso opting out of his contract and entering free agency came swiftly after the Mets’ season finale game against the Marlins on Sunday. As ESPN posted on X, “Breaking: Mets all-star first baseman Pete Alonso is opting out of his contract and will enter free agency, he said after New York’s final game of the season.” 

And Alonso has his remarks as well.

“Playing for this organization, this city – they’ve continued to believe in me. I love playing here,” Alonso shared in the post-game interview with SNY. “There’s some great guys in this clubhouse, some great people on the staff. Every single day, it’s been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue. I’ve really appreciated it and have been nothing but full of gratitude every single day. Nothing is guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens – I’ve loved being a Met. Hopefully, they’ve appreciated me the same.”

The Mets’ season ended on a bad note with that 4–0 shutout. They had a 92.2% chance of making the playoffs in the first week of September. By Sunday, that number had dropped to just 33.4% per FanGraphs. And all of that amid their second-highest payroll in the league, at about $340M, as per Sportarc. Still, October won’t be the same for them.

Now, Alonso’s leaving (at least for now) only makes it worse. The night before, he hit a home run in a 5-0 win over Miami, which gave the lineup a boost. “I felt like I had good at-bats all day, and hopefully I carry this over for tomorrow,” Alonso said after that Saturday game.

Sunday’s loss ended a season that started with hopes of winning the World Series. And now the Mets have to deal with a new reality: Their team’s most important player may soon be wearing a different uniform.

Could the Yankees be in the mix for Alonso?

MLB insider Jon Heyman says that the Bronx Bombers are a real possibility for Alonso’s power bat since he sees definite links between the slugger and the Yankees organization. “Potential other teams [aside from the Mets for Alonso], I mean, you’ve got to say the Yankees, right? I do think the Yankees are a potential [team] for Alonso,” Heyman stated during a September livestream.

The Yankees’ interest isn’t just a guess.

During last winter’s free agency period, they actively went for Alonso but ended up signing Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12.5 million deal. Now, the Yankees will need a new first baseman in 2026 since Goldschmidt’s contract is up. Alonso’s ability to hit more than 30 home runs would be excellent for the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium.

“Alonso, I do think the Yankees are a possibility.” Heyman went on to say, “[Paul] Goldschmidt is in his last year,” which made it clear that there is an opening on the roster.

Heyman also thinks the Mets are still Alonso’s best choice. He gave two good reasons: The Mets fans love their home run king, and he is now hitting behind Juan Soto, a generational talent.

Now only time will say if he stays in New York or goes elsewhere!