All the noise surrounding the Mets’ offseason has quieted down, and it seems like their $54 million bet on Pete Alonso is finally paying off. Interestingly, even team owner Steve Cohen had earlier expressed doubts about securing Alonso. But after Tuesday’s performance against the Marlins, it’s clear Alonso is becoming one of the Mets’ most reliable power hitters—possibly even surpassing Juan Soto in impact.
“You guys are awesome. Thank you for coming out today!”
Pete Alonso catches up with @SteveGelbs and thanks Mets fans for coming out to Citi Field after the Mets’ 10-5 win over the Marlins: pic.twitter.com/T7xC8uNDBX
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 8, 2025
Tuesday’s game was notable not just for the gameplay, but also for the harsh weather at Citi Field. The bitter cold drew attention as Francisco Alvarez was spotted bundled up in a black sweatsuit and balaclava, with only his eyes showing. The game began with a 43-degree temperature, strong 19 mph winds from the west, and even stronger gusts. It was the kind of weather that could inspire a “Polar Bear” performance—and Alonso delivered. The Marlins intentionally walked Soto, choosing to face Alonso instead.
Did this tactic fire Alonso up even more? Not really, according to him. “No. I just wanted to get a pitch to hit,” Alonso said in a post-game interview with SNY. “Thankfully, I got one where I was looking and I was able to capitalize.”
At that moment in the game, the Mets were leading 6–5. Reliever Ronny Henriquez walked Soto intentionally, loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth. It marked Soto’s first intentional walk of the season. Alonso then stepped in and smashed a three-run double within two pitches, extending the Mets’ lead and sealing a 10–5 victory.
This moment showed off the Mets’ much-talked-about depth. Their manager, Carlos Mendoza, put it clearly: “You either go after Juan Soto or you’ve got another good one behind him. They decided to pitch to Pete, and I’m glad he came through.”
While Soto is widely considered one of the best pure hitters and holds the highest contract in MLB history, Alonso—though not as expensive—proved he can be just as impactful. The decision to avoid Soto and go after Alonso backfired for the Marlins and highlighted the strength of the Mets’ batting lineup. Everything seems to be clicking for New York.
The Mets currently sit atop the NL East with an 8-3 record. They didn’t start strong, losing to the Astros in the opening game, but they’ve gained momentum. Though Soto only has one home run so far, Alonso leads the team with three, showing that the offense doesn’t solely rely on one superstar.
Looking back at last season, Alonso had clutch moments like his game-saving ninth-inning homer against the Brewers in the NL Wild Card Series. Francisco Lindor had similar heroics, hitting a critical homer against the Braves. That winning mentality appears to be carrying into this season.
However, the Mets aren’t at full strength. Francisco Alvarez remains out, and Brandon Nimmo has been underperforming. Fortunately, players like Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger have stepped up in Alvarez’s absence. Pitching has also been stellar, with the Mets holding the league’s best ERA at 1.72—thanks in large part to relievers Ryne Stanek, Reed Garrett, and Jose Butto.
In summary, Pete Alonso made a statement in this game: If you’re too scared to pitch to Juan Soto, then face me instead. That confidence and performance level are exactly what fans hoped to see from the Mets this year.