Boras Reveals How He Sold Alonso on Joining Orioles

Superagent Scott Boras discusses the factors that convinced the slugger to sign with Baltimore.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In a recent interview, superagent Scott Boras discussed how he convinced star slugger Pete Alonso to sign a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles in December. Boras highlighted the Orioles' young core of talented hitters like Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, and potentially Jackson Holliday as a key factor that appealed to Alonso, as well as the team's new ownership and the city of Baltimore's potential to be "really competitive" and "part of the mainstream of the game."

Why it matters

Alonso's signing with the Orioles was one of the biggest free agent moves of the offseason, and Boras' insights shed light on the factors that went into the decision. The Orioles are hoping Alonso's power bat can help propel them to contention, and understanding Boras' sales pitch provides context on why the slugger chose Baltimore over other suitors.

The details

Boras noted that Alonso was intrigued by the prospect of hitting behind the Orioles' young core of hitters, similar to how he benefited from batting behind Juan Soto with the Mets. Boras also credited the Orioles' new ownership and GM Mike Elias for creating an environment that appealed to Alonso, saying "cities like Baltimore are going to be really competitive, part of the mainstream of the game."

  • Alonso signed his five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles in December 2025.
  • Boras discussed the factors behind Alonso's decision during a March 3, 2026 appearance on the "Ryan Ripken Show."

The players

Pete Alonso

A star slugger who signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles in December 2025.

Scott Boras

A prominent sports agent who represents Pete Alonso and was instrumental in negotiating Alonso's deal with the Orioles.

Mike Elias

The general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, who worked with Boras to convince Alonso to sign with the team.

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What they’re saying

“I remember when we went back to the Mets, when he signed Juan there, I told Pete, I go, 'This has tremendous value to you. When you have an .880 OPS with runners on base, [and] now you have Juan Soto hitting ahead of you. You're gonna have a much, much better, in metric terms, an OPS+,'”

— Scott Boras, Sports Agent (Ryan Ripken Show)

“And then Mike came, and ownership supported this decision. Pete was aware of it, and it meant a lot to him. It meant a lot to win to go to a place where all those things fit, and allowed him to go there, and I think really have some of the most successful years of his career,”

— Scott Boras, Sports Agent (Ryan Ripken Show)

“I think that in an element where you've got intellect, and ownership commitment, cities like Baltimore are going to be really competitive, part of the mainstream of the game, and I think that's a credit to the new ownership of the Orioles, and also to Mike Elias and his staff,”

— Scott Boras, Sports Agent (Ryan Ripken Show)

What’s next

Orioles fans will be eager to see how Alonso performs in his new home, and whether the team's young core can help him reach new heights in his career.

The takeaway

Boras' insights highlight how the Orioles' investment in their roster and organization played a key role in convincing a star player like Alonso to join the team, signaling Baltimore's potential to be a competitive force in the years to come.