2024 Mets outlook: Pete Alonso expectations and predictions

Pete Alonso is entering his most critical season to date in his career with the New York Mets as 2024 is his contract season. Alonso is one of the most formidable power hitters in the game right now and looks to turn his biggest strength to a massive new deal starting next season.

After seeing contract extension discussions sizzle, especially after Alonso hired Scott Boras to be his agent, the Mets agreed to a $20.5 million salary to avoid arbitration this year. So what should Mets fans expect as he looks to become one of the highest paid players in major league history? I think it's gonna be a fun season watching Alonso. Let's forget about all the Alonso contract talk and focus on the on-the-field product he will produce this season.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is in for a monster 2024 season, as the free agent motivation.

Alonso took a step back last year offensively despite hitting 46 home runs, but he looked far worse after being rushed back from a bone bruise injury (he was supposed to miss 3-4 weeks in June but only missed the minimum time on the injured list), and it threw off his season. He hit just .207 and had a strikeout rate over 25 percent since returning from injury.

But 2024 will be a different season. Alonso has a full offseason with the mindset of earning that massive payday from either the Mets or another team. He gets Eric Chavez back as his hitting coach; Alonso had his best contact season when Chavez was his hitting coach in 2022, where his 131 runs batted in was tied for the most in the majors. He knows that he must showcase more than his raw power to get more money, but his annual 40-plus home run output will be difficult to replace.

Alonso's main weakness throughout his career was his defense. However, with all the issues with the Mets defensively last year, Alonso surprisingly was not one of those issues as he improved, and grew more confident in playing first base in 2023. He set career highs in assists, defensive runs saved, and fielding percentage.

With David Stearns emphasizing defense with his offseason acquisitions, Alonso continuing to get better defensively will boost the case for the Mets to show one of the best first basemen in the game a $200 million-plus contract with respect to the new vision for the team.

2024 Stat Predictions: .260 AVG, 45 HR, 125 RBI, .880 OPS