After signing a short-term deal with the New York Mets during the previous offseason, Pete Alonso is now aiming to secure a long-term contract this winter, with several teams showing interest. Among the potential suitors for the five-time All-Star, ESPN’s Jorge Castillo mentioned some of the traditional big-market teams but also pointed out a surprising contender: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In addition to the Mets, Alonso’s list of potential destinations includes the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays. Castillo has noted that while the Pirates may seem like a “long shot” due to their history of being cautious with big free-agent signings, this offseason represents a chance for change. The team is reportedly looking to enhance their lineup to support a promising pitching staff led by 2025 NL Cy Young award winner, Paul Skenes.
The Pirates have shown signs of increasing ambition, highlighted by a recent report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, which indicated the team was preparing a significant offer for Josh Naylor before he opted to stay with the Seattle Mariners on a five-year, $92.5 million deal. Starting with Naylor suggests that the Pirates may be considering their options carefully, potentially viewing Alonso as a more expensive, though impactful target.
Alonso is projected to seek a four-year deal valued at $110 million, significantly higher than any previous contract the Pirates have issued. Their largest free-agent agreement was Francisco Liriano’s three-year, $39 million contract in 2014, while Bryan Reynolds’ recent extension of $106.8 million highlights a growing willingness to invest in key players.
With Skenes remaining under team control through 2029 and not eligible for arbitration until 2027, there’s pressure on Pirates owner Bob Nutting to bolster the roster, especially given that the team’s offensive production ranked among the lowest in MLB last season. They placed 29th in runs scored, dead last in home runs, and last in slugging percentage in 2025.
While adding Alonso wouldn’t completely resolve the Pirates’ challenges, his impressive performance last season—where he achieved a batting line of .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs—could greatly enhance the team’s competitiveness. The prospect of the Pirates making a bold move to secure Alonso is an intriguing development for fans and could signal a shift in their approach to building a winning team.