In one of the biggest moves of the MLB offseason, five-time All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Alonso had spent his entire seven-year career with the New York Mets before signing his new deal.

On Friday, the Florida native sent a message to Orioles fans ahead of his first season with the team.

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“Hey Birdland, what’s up? It’s the ‘Polar Bear.’ I’m so excited to be here, and thank you so much for the warm welcome. And let’s go O’s,” Alonso said in a video on X.

After back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, Baltimore missed the playoffs entirely in 2025. Additionally, the team finished with a 75-87 record, their worst since the 2021 season.

The Orioles do have a lot of talent. Infielder Gunnar Henderson finished fourth in AL MVP voting in 2024 and won Rookie of the Year the season prior. Jackson Holliday had a solid season, batting .242 and recording 17 home runs and 55 RBIs. Plus, Trevor Rogers just finished ninth in AL Cy Young award voting and recorded a 1.81 ERA in 109.2 innings pitched last season.

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Despite having a solid roster, Baltimore finished last in the AL East standings and was 14 games behind the third-place Boston Red Sox.

By signing Alonso, the Orioles add a legitimate power bat to the lineup that should take the team to the next level.

Just last season, Alonso batted .272 and hit 38 home runs and recorded 126 RBIs. Additionally, he led the NL in doubles with 41 and earned the first Silver Slugger award of his career

It is also important to note that, despite being 30 years old last season, he also played all 162 games for the second year in a row. As the Orioles look to bounce back and re-establish themselves as a legitimate threat in the AL East, having a dependable bat of Alonso’s caliber for an entire season would be huge for them.

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Orioles fans are excited to see Alonso suit up for them next season, and based on his latest message, it seems like that feeling is reciprocated.

Baltimore may still have a long way to go in a loaded division that also features the reigning AL champion Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Red Sox. Still, signing Alonso is a big move that should move the needle in their direction.