The two-time reigning World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers could have stood pat all offseason long without making any additions, and they would still be viewed as a major contender to win the Fall Classic again in 2026. But that is simply not how the Dodgers operate, which is also why people still wondered whether the Dodgers would win the Pete Alonso sweepstakes.
As it turned out, the star first baseman decided to take his talents to the American League East, signing a 5-year, $155 million contract in December with the Baltimore Orioles.
Orioles fans certainly appreciate that the slugger didn’t end up putting pen to paper with the Dodgers. At the Orioles’ spring training at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., the 31-year-old Alonso even heard a fan thank him for it.
“Thanks for not joining with the Dodgers. Thank you for coming here,” a fan said while Alonso was signing autographs.
“My pleasure, guys,” the two-time Home Run Derby champion responded.
You can watch that interaction here:
Pete Alonso already a popular man in Orioles camp pic.twitter.com/NY1mr2Ty3s
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) February 11, 2026
Baltimore supporters can appreciate Alonso more once he starts to get it going in the 2026 MLB season.
In 1,008 games with the New York Mets, the former National League Rookie of the Year hit .253/.341/.516 with 264 home runs and 712 RBIs across 4,316 plate appearances.
