Red Sox Eye Pete Alonso to Anchor Lineup and Fill Power Void at First Base

After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Boston Red Sox are setting their sights on one of baseball’s premier power hitters. The club’s need for a consistent right-handed bat — and a reliable first baseman — has made Pete Alonso of the New York Mets a top target heading into free agency.

Even if Boston manages to re-sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who has expressed a strong affinity for Fenway Park, the organization’s power gap remains glaring. Bregman’s offensive skill set leans on discipline and gap-to-gap hitting, but the Red Sox lack the kind of pure home run threat Alonso represents.

Few players in Major League Baseball bring Alonso’s combination of raw strength and run production. His swing is tailor-made for Fenway Park’s short left-field wall, a feature that could elevate his already prolific numbers. While Alonso has proven capable of driving the ball to all fields, his pull-side power would make the Green Monster a frequent landing spot.

Alonso’s 2025 numbers speak for themselves: 38 home runs, 41 doubles, 126 RBIs, and a .524 slugging percentage, ranking among the top five in the National League across multiple categories. His production would instantly transform Boston’s middle of the order and reestablish the lineup as one of the most feared in the American League.

1. First Base Uncertainty and Injury Troubles

Red Sox manager Alex Cora spent much of last season shuffling players at first base after the team’s projected starter, Triston Casas, went down with an early-season injury. Casas tore his Achilles tendon in May, ending his campaign after just 29 games — and leaving behind a troubling stat line of .182/.277/.303 with only three home runs and 11 RBIs. While Casas entered the year with high expectations as a breakout power hitter, injuries have derailed his progress for two consecutive seasons. In 2024, he appeared in just 63 games due to a rib issue, hitting .241 with 13 homers. The back-to-back injury setbacks have raised legitimate concerns inside the front office about his long-term durability and readiness to handle everyday duties. In Casas’ absence, Boston relied on a committee approach, rotating Abraham Toro, Nathaniel Lowe, and Romy Gonzalez at first base. Gonzalez’s versatility makes him a valuable utility player, but none of the three emerged as a true long-term solution. As chief baseball officer Craig Breslow surveys the offseason landscape, Alonso stands out as both a lineup anchor and a stabilizing presence at a position that has lacked continuity. The Red Sox, who pride themselves on offensive balance, see Alonso as a transformational piece capable of reshaping their offensive identity.

2. Bidding War Brewing Across the League

Acquiring Alonso won’t come easily. The New York Mets are determined to keep their star slugger and are expected to extend a significant offer to retain him. No organization has demonstrated a greater willingness to spend big in recent years than the Mets, whose owner Steve Cohen has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to maintaining a championship-caliber roster. But the Mets won’t be alone in their pursuit. The New York Yankees are rumored to have interest, driven by both competitive motives and a chance to one-up their crosstown rivals after the Mets’ signing of Juan Soto last offseason. Other teams potentially in the mix include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants — each with a strong farm system but limited financial flexibility compared to Boston or New York. Alonso, who earned $30.1 million on a one-year deal in 2025, is represented by Scott Boras, ensuring that negotiations will be deliberate and demanding. Industry insiders expect Alonso to command a contract of at least five years and $150 million, with an average annual value exceeding his most recent salary. If the Red Sox are serious about outbidding the Mets, they’ll likely need to offer around five years and $160 million — a figure that would make Alonso one of the highest-paid first basemen in the game. For Boston, that price may be justified by the opportunity to secure a durable, elite-level power bat during the prime of his career.

3. A Perfect Fit for Fenway and the Future

Alonso’s profile aligns seamlessly with the Red Sox’s needs and offensive environment. His all-fields power approach and disciplined strike zone management complement Fenway Park’s hitter-friendly conditions, especially for right-handed batters capable of pulling the ball toward the Green Monster. Beyond his bat, Alonso brings an edge that Boston’s clubhouse could benefit from — a mix of confidence, competitiveness, and postseason experience that mirrors the Red Sox’s historic identity. His addition would not only provide immediate production but also signal to the fan base that Boston intends to return to contention in the ultra-competitive American League East. Should the Red Sox succeed in signing Alonso, the move would instantly reshape their lineup construction, potentially positioning him between Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman (if re-signed). The resulting trio could form one of the league’s most potent heart-of-the-order combinations. Ultimately, the decision rests on how far Boston’s front office is willing to go financially — and whether Alonso views Fenway Park as the ideal next chapter in his career. For both sides, the potential reward could be franchise-altering.