There were three significant free agent signings as the Winter Meetings wound down and folks headed for home. The biggest news is Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles for 5 yr/$150 M. Robert Suarez signed with the Braves for 3 yr/$45 M and the Braves, who have been very active so far, also signed Mike Yastrzemski to a 2 yr/$23 M contract. Let's break it all down:
Pete Alonso 1B/DH. DOB: 12/7/1994. B-R, T-R. 6' 3", 245 lbs. 5 yr/$ 150 M.
2025(Mets): .272/.347/.524, 38 HR, 8.6 BB%, 22.8 K%, 709 PA, 3.4 bWAR.
Alonso is one of the elite power hitters in MLB and is coming off an excellent campaign. Alonso tends to not get the respect he deserves because his WAR gets suppressed by positional factors and subpar defense. But that power looks good in any lineup even if he has to DH full time. Orioles get a big boost to their lineup and the Mets lose production they probably cannot replace unless they re-allocate the resources and go after Kyle Tucker who is going to cost a whole lot more.
Robert Suarez RHP. DOB: 3/1/1991. 6' 2", 210 lbs. 3 yr/$45 M.
2025(Padres): 4-6, 2.97, 69.2 IP, 9.7 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, 40 Saves.
Suarez hasn't been in the league a long time but he did not make his first MLB appearance until age 31. The past two seasons established him as one of the league's elite closers. 3 years may seems like a long contract for a guy entering his age 35 season but as a lifelong reliever(he pitched several seasons in Japan), he has a relatively low-mileage arm. He'll now compete for or share the Closer role with Raisel Iglesias RHP. When the Braves have the lead they shorten the game to 7 innings. That can win a lot of games. Smart deal for the Braves.
Mike Yastrzemski OF. DOB: 8/23/1990. B- L, T- L. 5' 11", 180 lbs. 2 yr/$23 M($4 M buyout of $7 M for third season).
2025(Giants/Royals): .233/.333/403, 17 HR, 7 SB, 12.9 BB%, 19.4 K%, 558 PA.
While those numbers don't looks too bad, YtY had a power surge after the trade(7 HR in the month of August) that boosted his SLG% considerably. He is going to a much friendlier ballpark for hitters so he may continue to put up better than decent number for ATL. Just remember he really had only two good months in 2025, April with the Giants and August after the trade. I am happy for YtY that he will get enough money from the game to set him up for live. I am also happy the Giants are not the ones paying him for the next 2+ years.
Comment: I think Rafael Devers is a better fit for the Giants than Pete Alonso in essentially the same role because of Devers lefty bat to balance out an otherwise righty lineup and they probably don't have the budget for both. After watching so many games get pissed away from Blown Saves last year, Robert Suarez sure looks like a difference maker in the Closer role and not at an unreasonable price. SP is probably a higher priority than Closer but it remains to be seen if and how Buster chooses to allocate his resources. I just hope he doesn't get to the end of next season and realize not doing enough with the bullpen was the difference between making the postseason and not. Much as I like YtY and appreciate what he gave the Giants it's time to move on. Buster needs to either sort out the outfield mess and find his RF in there somewhere or else convince ownership to give him the funding for a serious upgrade.
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