Red Sox Pursued Pete Alonso Amid Orioles Acquisition

It turns out the Orioles weren’t the only team in the AL East with an eye on Pete Alonso.

The Boston Red Sox also made an offer to Alonso, although it was for fewer years and, as reported, “significantly” less money than what the Orioles extended. This development was highlighted in a piece by the Boston Globe.

This week, the Orioles finalized a five-year deal worth $155 million with Alonso, raising plenty of questions about the future for the Mets and what their next steps would be.

Boston had some reservations regarding Alonso’s longevity—he just turned 31, which probably played a role in their decision-making.

The Mets opted not to make an offer because they were aware that the years and finances involved would exceed their comfort level.

“These things don’t always add up,” said Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow during the winter meetings, as reported by the Globe. He remarked that both the club and players must prioritize what’s best for their respective situations. He added that they now face the task of enhancing their roster in other ways.

Fans of the Red Sox have been eagerly awaiting news following last season’s ending, where they faced the Yankees and unfortunately fell in the Wild Card round.

After trading Rafael Devers to the Giants early last season, the team felt the absence of a strong bat in the middle of their lineup. Devers was unhappy about being left at third base for Alex Bregman, who is also 31 years old and has now become a free agent after parting ways with Boston.

There’s some speculation about whether the Red Sox can afford to pursue a long-term deal with Bregman, given the concerns about age.

“We will continue to engage with players that we think can help us,” Breslow mentioned, pointing out that Bregman remains a consideration.

This offseason, the Red Sox’s most notable move was acquiring veteran pitcher Sonny Gray from the Cardinals. Gray, known for his intense rivalry with the Yankees, is expected to provide solid support alongside ace Garrett Crochet.

However, despite the anticipated return of promising outfielder Roman Anthony from injury, the lineup still needs significant improvement.

Last season, Alonso hit 38 home runs along with 41 doubles and 126 RBIs while playing for the Mets. His presence is likely to pose challenges for the Red Sox and the rest of the AL East over the coming years.