The new star of the Baltimore Orioles is one of the notable absences from the WBC, although he curiously revealed that he could have faced his own country. How was that possible? In recent remarks, he said that Italy national baseball team tried to bring him onto their roster.

Not long ago, Alonso became a father with his partner, a specific and sufficient reason for him to decline any kind of call-up. “The WBC is sick, but this wasn’t the year to do it. The personal circumstance just didn’t line up.”

The five-time All-Star and former star of the New York Mets made it clear that his focus is solely on his personal matters, as well as on this new chapter with his new team in Major League Baseball.

Hope remains intact in Baltimore

The Baltimore Orioles have completely revitalized their clubhouse and fan base by signing Pete Alonso to a landmark five-year, $155 million contract. Known as “The Polar Bear,” Alonso arrives as the “adult in the room” that Baltimore lacked during a disappointing 2025 season, and he has already made an impact in Spring Training by homering in his debut and taking a leadership role with the young core.

He joins the Orioles following a stellar 2025 campaign where he played all 162 games, posting a .272 batting average with 38 home runs and a career-high 126 RBIs. By adding a veteran who has smashed at least 34 homers in each of his last five full seasons, the Orioles have solidified the middle of their lineup as they aim to climb out of the AL East cellar and return to postseason contention.

“Instead of the usual 75% of new faces, it’s 100% here. It’s refreshing, you know? For me, it’s been wonderful. Being here in Sarasota is not far from home, and I grew up playing travel ball at the Cal Ripken complex right across the field. So it’s very nostalgic coming to work every morning,” Alonso told MLB Network Radio.

Given Alonso’s enthusiasm for joining the Orioles, the fanbase holds high expectations for his performance this upcoming season. He arrives in Baltimore as the Mets‘ all-time leader in home runs, and fans expect him to deliver similar results for his new team.

Although former teammates like Juan Soto have shared heartfelt messages about Alonso’s departure, Alonso appears content in Baltimore, and fans are optimistic about his contributions.

Alonso makes an impact with Orioles

Displaying impressive form during spring training, Alonso has proven why Baltimore holds high expectations for him this MLB season. His performance over eight games has already made a significant impression.

Here are his spring training statistics to date:

• Games Played: 8
• At-Bats: 22
• Hits: 8
• Home Runs: 3
• RBI: 7
• Batting Average: .364
• OPS: 1.273

Orioles’ projected Opening Day lineup featuring Alonso

With his standout performances during spring training, manager Brandon Hyde is set to include Alonso as a key player in the Orioles’ projected lineup for Opening Day against World Series frontrunners, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Here is the projected Opening Day lineup:

1. Gunnar Henderson SS
2. Adley Rutschman C
3. Pete Alonso 1B
4. Anthony Santander RF
5. Jordan Westburg 2B
6. Heston Kjerstad LF
7. Jackson Holliday 3B
8. Colton Cowser CF
9. Coby Mayo DH

Beyond the stars, there is a keen interest in observing minor league players as potential MLB prospects for the regular season. In this regard, Vance Honeycutt has garnered attention with his exceptional 3-for-3 performance in spring training.

Though Honeycutt shares his spring training home run tally with four other players, he’s distinguished himself by hitting three home runs in three at-bats. This feat eclipses the efforts of Alonso and Judge, who, despite having more at-bats, have only managed two homers.

The emergence of a young prospect making waves in his first minor league season is always notable. For Honeycutt, his moment to shine had to wait until this year, despite being a first-round pick in 2024 by the Orioles.

Honeycutt’s thoughts on his landmark performance

Per MLB.com, Honeycutt stands tied at the top with players like the Yankees’ Spencer Jones and the Red Sox’s Jarren Duran. However, the Orioles’ prospect is singular in boasting a perfect spring training outing.

He shared his insights with MLB.com, saying, “Last year was tough, and it’s a new year, new me. I’m excited about it,” he expressed. “I’m just trying to be early, work in the middle of the field, and honestly, just put a good swing on a pitch I want to hit. That’s probably the main thing, and just continue to do that over and over again.”

Other players homering thrice in spring training

Currently, three home runs serve as the pinnacle of spring training stats. Alongside Honeycutt, Jones, and Duran, several other players have matched this feat, albeit with more at-bats:

• Charlie Condon – Rockies: 3 HR in 14 AB
• Jarren Duran – Red Sox: 3 HR in 12 AB
• Big Gamel – Braves: 3 HR in 11 AB
• Connor Griffin – Pirates: 3 HR in 14 AB
• Vince Honeycutt – Orioles: 3 HR in 3 AB
• Spencer Jones – Yankees: 3 HR in 10 AB
• TJ Rumifield – Rockies: 3 HR in 14 AB
• Mike Yastrzemski – Braves: 3 HR in 10 AB

Fans had hoped Soto and Alonso would play together for years. The Mets tried to fill the gap by signing hitters like Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco but replacing Alonso’s leadership and performance is not easy.

During MLB Network’s “30 Clubs, 30 Camps” segment on February 25, Soto shared his thoughts. “You know, Pete was great for the team. He was great in the clubhouse, and outside of the clubhouse, he was a great leader,” Soto said.

He also added, “But you’ve got to move on. We are all equal here. Everyone has a voice, everyone feels good and comfortable. Just have fun, bring good energy, and everything will go the right way.”

What this means for the Mets in 2026

The performance of Bichette, Polanco, and other offseason signings will be key to replacing Alonso’s impact. A strong start in 2026 will help the Mets, their fans, and Soto move forward while building chemistry around the new lineup.

“I was really shocked that Pete would leave New York for Baltimore,” Strawberry told the New York Post. “Pete could have broken all the records and could have been on top of every offensive category for this organization, and then sometimes when you don’t see that and realize how important that is.”

Strawberry even issued a warning to Alonso, who is now enjoying a lucrative $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. “One day he is going to wake up just like I did and regret you didn’t stick where you are at,” said the veteran, who also played for the Mets from 1983 to 1990.

How many records did Pete Alonso hold with the Mets?

According to Baseball Reference, Alonso held multiple records with the New York Mets. One of the most significant is his 264 career home runs, which made him the franchise’s all-time leader in that category, a mark that will likely be difficult to match over the next decade.

In 2022, Alonso set the single-season franchise record with 131 RBIs. Back in 2019, he also established the Mets’ single-season home run record with 53 long balls. Additionally, Alonso is the only Mets player in the 21st century to appear in all 162 games in a single season.

As for career marks in Queens, Alonso cracked three major franchise categories despite the long list of records held by David Wright and Strawberry. In addition to becoming the club’s all-time home run leader, Alonso also set franchise marks for most times hit by pitch (100) and best at-bats per home run ratio (14.3).

Westburg has become an important part of Baltimore’s infield production in recent seasons. When reports surfaced about ligament damage in his elbow, the immediate fear centered on the possibility of Tommy John surgery — a procedure that could have sidelined him for the entire year. Instead, the organization opted for a different path.

According to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said: “Jordan Westburg has a partially torn UCL… He will not get Tommy John surgery. The team is opting for PRP injections. He will be out through April… His timeline after that is TBD.” While the diagnosis is significant, the avoidance of surgery keeps his 2026 campaign alive.

How serious is the elbow injury for Alonso’s teammate?

A partially torn UCL is not a minor issue, particularly for an infielder who relies on arm strength across the diamond. However, PRP treatment offers a recovery path that is less invasive and potentially faster than reconstructive surgery. Avoiding Tommy John dramatically improves Westburg’s long-term outlook.

Still, Baltimore confirmed he will miss at least the month of April, and there is no defined return date beyond that window. The team will evaluate his progress before clearing him for full baseball activities.

What does this mean for the Orioles’ lineup?

Westburg earned All-Star honors in 2024 and remained productive in 2025 despite appearing in only 85 games. He slashed .265/.313/.457 with 17 home runs and a .770 OPS in 352 plate appearances, providing consistent right-handed power and defensive flexibility. His absence leaves an early-season gap that Baltimore must address internally.

One of the offseason acquisitions meant to fill those gaps is Jorge Polanco, brought in to take over at first base. But questions are already swirling around the $40 million infielder, even before the season has begun. Most notably, Polanco has never played a full major league season at first base, coming as former Mets slugger Pete Alonso made it clear how he feels about his move to the Orioles.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report recently labeled Polanco a potential bust, highlighting both health concerns and positional inexperience. “There’s no doubt that Jorge Polanco was excellent for the Seattle Mariners last season, homering 26 times and posting an .821 OPS for a club that finished within a win of the World Series,” Kelly wrote.

He also added, “The biggest problem, though, with the Mets giving him a two-year, $40 million deal this offseason is that he played in just 302 of a possible 486 games between 2021 and 2023. He’s a major risk from a health sense. Additionally, the Mets are asking him to slide over to first base, a position he’s played only once in his MLB career.”

Mets manager faces challenges with Polanco

Polanco will need to adjust quickly to first base while also maintaining his offensive production. Manager Carlos Mendoza will have to find ways to get him comfortable at a new position while monitoring his at-bats and overall health. There is also the possibility that Polanco’s bat could regress after a strong season in Seattle, adding to the uncertainty.

High stakes for Mets’ offseason move

While the Mets made several moves this offseason to rebuild, the signing of Polanco stands out as one of the riskiest. He will need to prove doubters wrong in 2026 if the Mets hope to compete in the National League East and offset the departures of Alonso and Diaz.

While speculation about his future had been building for months, some Mets fans were frustrated to learn the club never made a formal offer before he left. The situation added another layer to what was already an emotional split between the franchise and one of its most recognizable stars, with the Mets recently catching a two-word shot from Alonso.

In a recent conversation with Newsday’s David Lennon, Alonso addressed the controversy, making it clear he is focused on his new chapter with the Orioles rather than revisiting what could have been in Queens.

“For me, there’s no need to think about the what-ifs and the hypotheticals because I’m so appreciated here,” Alonso said. “To where it’s like I feel so comfortable, so awesome with this group, that I don’t need to look back. I’m beyond happy here, so there’s no reason for me to think anything else other than this organization winning a World Series.”

The slugger, who became the Mets’ all-time home run leader last summer, had openly expressed his desire to remain with the team during the past two seasons. Ultimately, the organization chose a different direction.

Gratitude for Mets tenure

Despite the business side of the breakup, Alonso spoke warmly about his years in New York. “Beyond grateful for the experience,” he said. “But my biggest priority is to win for this team and the city of Baltimore. I’m beyond appreciative for the past — but it’s the past. I need to focus on the present and the future.”

Alonso also shared a message for Mets fans who supported him throughout his time in New York. “It was a part of the journey,” he added. “I’d like to think I made a lot of great memories, and I’ll carry those memories for the rest of my life.”

That feeling was made crystal clear by the leaders in the clubhouse. During the opening week of spring training, players like Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto delivered strong messages in their press conferences.

For example, Soto made something clear to manager Carlos Mendoza about his candid admission. Moreover, Soto also spoke about Alonso‘s departure from New York, a topic Lindor was asked about as well. During his media availability, Lindor voiced a stern reminder, which put former teammates like Alonso and Diaz on notice.

“We definitely didn’t win. What left — great people, great guys. I feel like this team is better than last year,” Lindor boldly stated during his press conference on Sunday, via @SleeperMets on X. “If you go position by position, it’s definitely better. We have what it takes.”

Season of change for the Mets

Needless to say, it’s been a busy winter for the Mets. For better or worse, the baseball club in Queens looks much different as it takes the field at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Still, everyone remains confident.

Owner Steve Cohen provided a sincere message about the roster after the offseason, which paints a picture —albeit in a broad brushstroke—of where things stand within the organization. Still, whether the Mets are actually better in 2026 will only be decided throughout the season.

Position of need for NY Mets

Now, there isn’t a glaring hole for the Mets to stare at. However, there are indeed several gaps that would welcome help. Were it that easy, the Mets would make moves to address them in a heartbeat. It’s not, so the Orange and Blue are stuck playing the waiting game.

Meanwhile, the Mets eye a key addition as A.J. Minter’s rehab ramps up, and they need help in the form of a left-handed reliever. The Mets may be across the East River, but they are still born, raised, and shaped by the City That Never Sleeps—and neither do they, especially when an opportunity may present itself at any given moment.

For many, Alonso’s departure to the Baltimore Orioles could have been a major blow looking ahead, but according to Soto himself, his spot on the field will be well covered.

“We have Bo [Bichette], I trust him. He’s a great hitter. He can hit homers and hit for average. That’s great protection,” the Dominican outfielder said on possibly missing Alonso’s protection behind him.

It will be a matter of seeing, as the first games unfold, whether the presence of Bo Bichette alongside his new teammates can fill this void, or if, on the contrary, the team will struggle more than expected in that area of the field.

Major moves on the Mets’ roster

The Mets’ 2026 offseason has been a seismic shift for the franchise, marked by the dismantling of their long-standing core. The most important departures were the losses of Polar Bear Pete Alonso, and closer Edwin Diaz, who joined the Dodgers, alongside the trades of staples Brandon Nimmo (to Texas) and Jeff McNeil (to Oakland).

To fill these massive voids, David Stearns executed a aggressive pivot, headlined by the signing of shortstop Bo Bichette to a three-year deal and the high-profile trade for Milwaukee ace Freddy Peralta.

Additionally, the acquisitions of Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco have completely remodeled the lineup, signaling a new era in Queens that prioritizes defensive flexibility and elite starting pitching over sentimental ties.

Owner Steve Cohen acknowledged that the transition was emotional, both for fans and for him personally. While the Mets made competitive offers to retain their stars, financial limits and player preferences ultimately shaped the outcome of free agency.

In an interview with Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose, Cohen addressed both situations candidly — admitting that Alonso’s departure was easier to process than Díaz’s unexpected move to Los Angeles.

Cohen on Pete Alonso’s exit

Cohen explained that the Mets were unwilling to extend to five years in negotiations with Alonso. The slugger ultimately secured a five-year, $155 million deal from the Baltimore Orioles — an offer Cohen described as “great.”

Given the organization’s internal valuation, the Mets chose not to match that length of commitment, signaling a strategic shift in long-term roster construction.

Díaz’s decision caught Mets by surprise

The situation with Edwin Díaz unfolded differently. The All-Star closer agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite what Cohen characterized as a strong offer from New York.

“I did find that one perplexing,” Cohen said. “I’m not sure exactly how Edwin arrived at that decision. Obviously it’s a personal decision on his part and I thought we made a pretty respectable bid.”

Emotional shift, competitive expectations

Beyond the business side, Cohen admitted the departures carried personal weight. Many of the exiting players — including Alonso and Díaz — were part of the roster when Cohen first took ownership of the team.

“I felt it too, by the way,” Cohen said. “The players that left were the players that I started with in my ownership, Day 1. And so I had developed pretty close relationships with some of these players. From a personal standpoint, I really felt it.”

However, the roster overhaul has also brought renewed optimism. The Mets added several playoff-tested players this winter, including Bo Bichette, reshaping both the clubhouse and on-field identity.

“I’m excited by this team,” Cohen said. “It’s different than the team we had last year, but a lot of these players that we got are playoff tested. Gamers. They performed in high pressure situations. I expect this team to be a playoff team.”