BALTIMORE—Pete Alonso donned his new Orioles jersey on Friday and said he couldn’t wait to get started in his new baseball home. Alonso, who signed a five-year, $155 million contract on Thursday, chose jersey number 25 because his son was born in 2025. He wore number 20 with the Mets but that number was worn by Hall of Famer Frank Robinson and is retired.
Speaking at a podium with Orioles control owner David Rubenstein, president of baseball operations Mike Elias and his agent, Scott Boras, Alonso, who hit 264 home runs in seven seasons with the Mets, said he’s confident about the Orioles.
“I feel like I can help this team achieve greatness.”
What made the Orioles attractive to Alonso? “To be honest, I was impressed with both, just like the sheer detail and just pretty much laying everything out there, whether it be from not just like the talent they have, but they gave a ton of examples where they said, ‘Hey, with your contribution, this is what we look like.’
“It was very detailed. And also … they did a deep dive on the renovations that are not just going to be going in at the park but are going to be going on at the spring training complex in Sarasota. And then, most importantly, I think like, the biggest thing is just like how they see the game and how they see the future moving forward.
“It was the entire blueprint. I mean, just their passion for winning and also their vision, and pretty much what they told me was, ‘Hey, this is where we see you and how we’re gonna get there. You’re gonna be a big part in winning a championship here.’”
Why is playing every game important to Alonso? Over the past two seasons, the 31-year-old first baseman has played 162 games.
“That’s a level of professionalism that I take pride in. But ultimately that just comes from loving the game. I love playing the game, and playing and competing at the major league level is really just a blessing and I take pride in that anytime I’m able to walk through the tunnel … and go play.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity, and I don’t take that opportunity lightly. Whether it be me preparing or me doing recovery postgame, I just have a tremendous love for this game, and as long as I’m healthy or even when things don’t feel good, it doesn’t matter, because any day that ends in ‘y,’ I’m ready to go out there as long as I’m able to.”
Why was now the time for Elias to sign a free agent to a high-dollar contract? “First of all, it’s the right player. First and foremost. We’re really looking to taking our lineup over the top with a middle-of-the-order bat, an impact hitter and a right-handed one, to boot, which is very rare right now to have his kind of power and production, consistency from the right side of the plate in this game is a pretty special commodity.
“But also, we have the talent base as evidenced by the way this team has played over the last four years and we’ve got a tremendous core to build around, but we finally have so many pieces in place, from the ownership group on down to grow this franchise and invest in players, but also facilities, the business part of our operation, the ballpark, everything that we’re doing, we have David and the rest of the group to thank. And I think we have a whole new era in front of us, and signing Pete is a big part of that. But also a big symbol of where we think we’re going. So, a lot to look forward to, and the 2026 team and season is just a small part of that.”
Why did Rubenstein authorize this deal? “When Mike Arougheti and I led the effort to buy the Orioles, we got a lot of favorable emails from friends and so forth but did not get as many favorable emails as I got from this particular contract signing. I’ve gotten hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of emails from people telling me how great this is. It is great.
“I can’t exaggerate the excitement in Baltimore for this. People I didn’t even remember from sixth grade are sending me emails saying, ‘Hey, great thing, when can I get some tickets?’ I’m really happy for Baltimore. I’m really happy for Pete and his family. And I think it’s going to be a great season for the Orioles and the best days are surely ahead of us.”
Why did Boras make this deal with the Orioles? “Having calls from Jackson [Holliday] and Gunnar [Henderson] and [Jordan Westburg] after this was done, the light that it shines on how the players in that locker room feel about the commitment to how they can compete in really one of the toughest divisions in baseball, that comes organically. The minute it’s done, it has that immediate impact, the excitement. I wish you all could hear it, because it’s meaningful. It gives them a sense of pride and confidence that illustrates that this franchise is committed. And I thank you, David, for bringing that to players, because in the player community, that’s what gives these men the confidence to go out and do what they need to do in one of the toughest divisions and play against the greats of the game.”
What does Craig Albernaz think of the addition? “Very excited. Obviously, the bat, for sure, his track record, but also like he was talking about. He plays every day.
“The biggest driver is the person. I think we’ve gotten to see the person that Pete is, the family man, so I’m just excited to have a person like that for our culture.”
Note: First baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda cleared outright waivers and has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.