![\"Pete](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/baltimore-orioles-pete-alonso-walks-122202801.jpg\")
Pete Alonso during a recent spring training game. AP<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s moment showed how Alonso is already making a difference with his new Orioles team, despite not yet even playing in his first official game since signing a massive five-year, $155 million contract<\/a> in December.<\/p>\n Alonso, 31, is hopeful to lead a return to contention in Baltimore after a disappointing 2025 season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t about [Rogers] or anybody,\u201d Alonso said of his mound conference, according to the Baltimore Sun<\/a>. \u201cIt was like, \u2018Hey, we just need to clean it up.\u2019 If we want to go far in the playoffs, it\u2019s all about doing the little things right even now, getting into good habits.\u201d<\/p>\n Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso, the franchise\u2019s prized $155 million offseason acquisition, deemed a mound visit necessary in a seemingly meaningless exhibition game against Team Netherlands after the team made a pair of fielding errors.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t about [Trevor Rogers] or\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/vB7O9M6EoG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Not every player signs a huge contract and assumes a leadership role with a new team, but it would appear that Alonso is taking on that responsibility early in camp.<\/p>\n Alonso is the team\u2019s highest-paid player \u2014 although Gunnar Henderson will break that mark in a few years \u2014 and wants to instill a certain level of expectations for the AL East squad.<\/p>\n Baltimore certainly has the talent to contend in perhaps baseball\u2019s toughest division, but is coming off an injury-riddled 75-87 campaign that featured underperformances from several notable stars.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you have that habit of playing good baseball, then it becomes second nature,\u201d Alonso said, per the Baltimore Sun. \u201cBut now in camp, we need to lock in on it and play clean baseball. That\u2019s just a good habit. That\u2019s just winning culture. If we play clean baseball, good things will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n The outlet reported that Alonso arrived early to camp and has been one of the loudest voices in these first few weeks of spring training.<\/p>\n Ultimately, Alonso will also have to speak loudly with his bat if the Orioles are to make noise in the American League, and he\u2019s off to a solid start with his homer Tuesday, marking his third of camp<\/a>.<\/p>\n If Alonso can produce like normal, he will have a shot at competing in the playoffs for the third time in his career and perhaps help the Orioles end a 12-year drought of postseason series wins.<\/p>\n This current group of Orioles made the playoffs in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, yet lost all five games, being swept by the Rangers and Royals, respectively.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great group and these guys make it super easy to come to the field everyday and bring that energy,\u201d Alonso said, according to the Baltimore Sun. \u201cAs you progress in your career, you start to become the older guy. For me, it\u2019s just remembering lessons. Having that rapport with [teammates], where it\u2019s like, you can hold each other accountable and not get your feelings hurt, and that\u2019s super productive and great.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how you deliver it, as long as the message is delivered and [teammates] are receptive and pulling in the same direction \u2026 it\u2019s fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Baltimore](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/new-york-yankees-vs-baltimore-121854319.jpg\")
Pete Alonso left the Mets to join the Orioles. Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n