A Dark Horse Candidate Has Emerged To Sign Pete Alonso

The Cincinnati Reds missed the postseason for the fourth straight season after finishing with a record of 77-85 and coming in fourth place in the National League Central.

While the Reds have not had much recent success, their young and talented roster gives the team hope for future seasons.

The Reds made several notable acquisitions this offseason, including trading for pitcher Brady Singer, second baseman Gavin Lux, catcher Jose Trevino, and pitcher Taylor Rogers.

While none of these players jump out as game-changers, the Reds could potentially be pursuing a free-agent first baseman who has yet to sign with a team for the 2025 season.

According to Jon Heyman, the Reds could develop as a dark horse Pete Alonso landing spot as his free agency drags on.

With the 2025 season right around the corner, Alonso’s free agency has yet to conclude, as his talks with the New York Mets have seemingly stalled.

Alonso joined the Mets in 2019 and has played with them for all six seasons of his MLB career.

In 2024, Alonso played in all 162 games, batting .240 with 34 home runs, 88 RBIs, and a .788 OPS.

The Reds could use a power right-handed bat in their lineup to complement the speed of their star shortstop, Elly De La Cruz.

While most people likely think Alonso will end up going back to the Mets in 2025, the fact that a deal hasn’t been completed in this amount of time could give other teams a chance.

MLB rumors: Reds suddenly emerge as possible Pete Alonso free agency destination

As spring training inches closer, longtime New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has not found his free agent home. While the Mets and Toronto Blue Jays have been the two teams most often linked to Alonso, another contender has joined the sweepstakes.

The Cincinnati Reds have emerged as a potential landing spot for Alonso, via Jon Heyman of the New York Post. There’s no word on if the team has actually talk to the first baseman. However, they are at least considering making a run at Alonso.

With players such as Elly De La Cruz, Matt McClain and Jeimer Candelario, the Reds already posses plenty of talent on their infield. At first base specifically, Spencer Steer is expected to be the Opening Day starter while Christian Encarnacion-Strand provides a valuable bench bat.

But Steer also has experience playing second and third base, as well as the outfield. Encarnacion-Strand has some positional versatility as well, but after appearing in just 29 games and hitting .190 in 2024, he may just be viewed as a bench bat. Of course, Cincinnati could always clear out some of their infield clog to open up a spot.

And if it means Alonso would be occupying it, the Reds may be more inclined to make it happen. The first baseman is coming off of a down year by his standards, hitting .240 with 34 home runs and 88 RBI. But if Alonso was on the Reds, he would’ve led the team in home runs and ranked second in RBI.