Rumors don’t mean much if a deal never comes to fruition, but for the second time this offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been linked to a big-time free agent.
The Pirates are said to have interest in National League MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber — among others — through the first few weeks of the offseason. Now, you can reportedly add five-time All-Star Pete Alonso to the list of free agents the Pirates are interested in.
The Pirates are “hanging around” in the market for Alonso, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Alonso, who is celebrating his 31st birthday on Sunday, is back on the free agent market after opting out of his deal with the New York Mets. Alonso is coming off his fourth-straight All-Star appearance in 2025, a year in which he hit a career-best .272 with an .871 OPS, a National-League leading 41 doubles, 38 home runs and 126 RBI in 162 games.
Since making his debut with the Mets in 2019, Alonso leads baseball in games played (1,008) and RBI (712) and is third with 264 home runs. He’s had an OPS+ of at least 122 in each of his seven big-league seasons, won the 2019 National League Rookie of the year and has received MVP consideration four times.
Desperate for offense, not many players on the free agent or trade markets would give the Pirates more of an upgrade than Alonso, who has been one of the most durable and consistent hitters in the league for the duration of his career.
But as is the case with Schwarber, it seems very unlikely the Pirates land Alonso baring something unforeseen. The slugger is likely looking at a four or five-year deal worth well north of $20 million annually. Even if the Pirates are willing to spend at that level, all things being equal, Alonso should have better suitors.
At the same time, however, Alonso’s market as a free agent last offseason failed to develop. He ended up re-signing with the Mets for two years and $54 million with an opt-out after the 2025 season. Perhaps something similar happens this offseason.
At the very least, the link to a payer of Alonso’s caliber is another representation of the Pirates’ aggressiveness this offseason. But it all means very little if nothing ever comes of it.
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