MLB Trade Rumors: Surprise Team Now Linked to Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso is the biggest name left in free agency, but where will he be swatting long balls in 2025 and beyond? The incumbent New York Mets still seem like the obvious favorite, and the San Francisco Giants have recently risen to the forefront as well.

But now we're getting word that the Los Angeles Angels, starving for some offense after the loss of Shohei Ohtani last year, are considering a run at Alonso.

The surprise comes from not only the fact that the Angels are nowhere close to contending, but also they seem to be suffering from PTSD on handing out huge long-term contracts to a hitter after their Anthony Rendon 7-year, $245M debacle in 2019, the Josh Hamilton car wreck of a six-year contract in 2012, and the massive overpay of Albert Pujols in 2011 ($240M, 11 years).

Insider Jon Heyman claims that their owner wants to make a big splash, but is a little wary of the massive long-term deals:

I do believe Arte Moreno wants to get another big bat in there. And they would move (Nolan) Schanuel out to LF if they were to do that... Angels are looking at it, but I think years (contract length) is a possible gap there. They are certainly weighing that.

Jon Heyman says the #Angels are “looking at” Pete Alonso, but there seems to be a gap in years.

“I do believe Arte Moreno wants to get another big bat in there. And they would move Schanuel out to LF if they were to do that. I think Santander is probably a little more likely.” pic.twitter.com/yIryvxBGZv
— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) January 1, 2025

First-round pick (11th overall, 2023) Nolan Schanuel was the Angels' full-time first baseman this past season, and the 22-year-old got his career off to a decent start. If the Angels were to sign Alonso, as Heyman noted, they could either move the second-year player Schanuel to a corner outfield spot, or alternatively have Alonso take on a fair chunk of DH duties.

Alonso is second behind only Aaron Judge in home runs since the 2019 season, and would fill a huge void in the Angels lineup.

Anthony Santander is the other big bat that the Angels are considering.