The Baltimore Orioles made their biggest move of the MLB offseason one week ago, signing first basemanPete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract, effectively ending his tenure with the New York Mets.
Alonso built an impressive career across seven seasons in Queens. He immediately made an impact upon his debut in 2019, winning National League Rookie of the Year. Since then, the 31-year-old veteran has earned five All-Star selections, a Silver Slugger Award and cemented his place as the Mets’ all-time home run leader.
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In 2025, Alonso proved he remains at the peak of his powers, posting a .272 batting average, .347 on-base percentage and .871 OPS, with 28 home runs and 126 RBIs while playing all 162 games.
His durability and consistent production highlight why Baltimore invested so heavily, expecting him to anchor their lineup for years to come.
Former New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20)© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
However, bringing Alonso onto the active roster meant that Baltimore had to make space, since their 40-man roster was already full. To make room, the Orioles designated catcher Drew Romo for assignment.
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Being designated for assignment means a player is removed from the 40-man roster, and the team has a short window to trade him, release him or place him on waivers where other organizations can claim him.
On Wednesday, the New York Mets swooped in and claimed Romo off waivers, immediately adding him to their roster. To make room, the Mets designated left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell, showing how quickly roster shuffling can occur when teams see value in a player like Romo.
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Romo is likely to serve as organizational depth for the Mets, sitting behind Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens as insurance in case of injury. He has only 19 games of MLB experience, but as a 2020 first-round pick by the Colorado Rockies, his pedigree still carries intrigue.
In Alonso’s absence, the Mets moved quickly to fill the void, signing Jorge Polanco to a two-year, $40 million deal and shifting him to first base after a breakout season with the Seattle Mariners. While Polanco offers versatility and emerging power, replicating Alonso’s production will be a tall task.
For Baltimore, however, Alonso’s arrival instantly transforms their lineup. Adding his proven bat to a group already featuring Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman makes the Orioles’ offense one of the most intimidating in baseball.
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Related: Pete Alonso Shares Off-Field Move Before First Season With Orioles
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.