Orioles Sign Pete Alonso to Boost Offense

Slugger brought in to address team's power outage at first base

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:04pm

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The Baltimore Orioles are entering the 2026 season with renewed optimism after a busy offseason, highlighted by the signing of free agent slugger Pete Alonso. The team is hoping Alonso can help address their power issues at first base, where Orioles first basemen combined for a league-low 14 home runs in 2025.

Why it matters

The Orioles are looking to end their playoff drought and make a push for the postseason in 2026. Improving their power production at first base, which was a major weakness last season, will be crucial to their success. Alonso's track record as one of the game's premier power hitters could provide the boost the team needs.

The details

The Orioles signed Alonso to a multi-year contract in the offseason, bringing in the slugger to man first base after the team struggled mightily at the position in 2025. Orioles first basemen combined for just 14 home runs last year, the lowest total in Major League Baseball. Alonso, a two-time All-Star and former Home Run Derby champion, hit 41 home runs in 2025 and will be counted on to provide a major power upgrade for the Orioles.

  • The Orioles signed Alonso as a free agent in the 2025-26 offseason.
  • In 2025, Orioles first basemen hit a combined total of 14 home runs, the lowest in MLB.

The players

Pete Alonso

A two-time MLB All-Star and former Home Run Derby champion, Alonso is one of the game's premier power hitters and was signed by the Orioles in the offseason to address their power needs at first base.

Baltimore Orioles

The MLB team based in Baltimore, Maryland that is looking to end their playoff drought and make a push for the postseason in 2026 after a busy offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Pete Alonso is exactly the kind of impact bat we needed to take our offense to the next level. His power is going to play really well in our ballpark.”

— Mike Elias, Orioles General Manager

What’s next

The Orioles will be closely watching Alonso's performance in spring training as they look to integrate him into their lineup and see if he can provide the power boost they desperately need at first base.

The takeaway

The Orioles are banking on Alonso's big bat to help them end their playoff drought and return to the postseason in 2026. If he can provide the power production they lacked at first base last season, it could be a game-changer for the franchise.