Pete Alonso Just Had the Worst Month of His Career — And It Might Cost Him That Massive Contract

Over the past few years, Pete Alonso has established himself as one of the most feared power hitters in all of Major League Baseball. Known for his prolific home run totals, his ability to produce in clutch situations, and his role as a leader within the New York Mets’ clubhouse, Alonso has been a cornerstone for the franchise since his breakout rookie season in 2019. Yet baseball is a game of streaks, and even the brightest stars can find themselves lost in prolonged slumps. For Alonso, the month of July 2025 may well go down as the most challenging stretch of his professional career, and the implications of this slump extend far beyond just the box score. This downturn could affect his trajectory in contract negotiations, his standing within the organization, and ultimately the financial future he has long been expecting.

The Numbers Tell a Brutal Story

When you look at the statistics from Alonso’s most recent month, they tell a story of a player struggling to find his rhythm. For a player who has consistently hovered near the top of the league in home runs, RBIs, and OPS, seeing a steep decline in these categories is both alarming and unusual. Over the month, Alonso hit a meager .175 batting average, one of the lowest single-month marks of his career. His power — typically his defining trait — vanished almost entirely, as he managed just two home runs during that stretch. His slugging percentage plummeted, and his strikeout rate surged to levels that are difficult to reconcile for a player of his caliber. Even worse, his timing appeared off not only at the plate but in his overall approach, as he struggled to recognize pitches that he previously crushed with ease.

This is not just a case of balls not falling into play or a string of bad luck. Advanced analytics show that Alonso’s hard-hit rate and barrel percentage — two metrics that typically highlight his offensive strengths — dropped significantly. Instead of making loud contact, Alonso often appeared late on fastballs and easily fooled by breaking pitches, suggesting a deeper mechanical or mental struggle rather than just statistical variance. For someone with his track record, this slump stands out not only because of its severity but because of its timing.

The Weight of Expectations

No one enters a season without feeling the pressure to perform, but for Alonso, the stakes in 2025 are higher than ever. Heading into the final year of his team control with the Mets, Alonso has been one of the most prominent names discussed in the free-agent market conversation. His power numbers and consistent production over the past several years made him a candidate for one of the largest contracts for a first baseman in MLB history. Comparisons to other big-money deals given to stars like Freddie Freeman or Paul Goldschmidt have been frequent, and some industry insiders believed that Alonso’s next contract could approach or even surpass $200 million.

That context makes this slump even more damaging. Baseball executives and front offices are notoriously risk-averse when it comes to committing long-term deals to players who show any signs of regression. For Alonso, whose value has been tied so heavily to his offensive production — and more specifically his ability to hit for power — an extended drought could lead to hesitation from potential suitors or the Mets themselves when it comes time to put pen to paper. The notion of him being a consistent 40-plus home run hitter has been a cornerstone of his financial case. If that identity wavers, so too does his leverage.

Mechanical Flaws or Mental Blocks?

Baseball slumps can arise from a variety of factors, and dissecting Alonso’s downturn has become a central topic among analysts, coaches, and fans. From a mechanical standpoint, his swing path appears slightly altered, with a tendency to collapse his back shoulder, leading to an increased number of pop-ups and weak fly balls. Video analysis from recent games shows that Alonso has also been chasing pitches out of the zone at a higher clip than in previous seasons, suggesting either an attempt to overcompensate for his struggles or a lack of confidence in pitch recognition.

However, this may not be purely mechanical. Slumps often take on a mental component, particularly for a player like Alonso who carries the weight of leadership expectations in addition to personal performance goals. Reports from those around the team suggest that Alonso has been pressing at the plate, trying to force his way out of the slump rather than trusting his natural swing. Such pressing can lead to a feedback loop where poor results create more frustration, which in turn leads to more poor results. For a player who has long been defined by his swagger and confidence, breaking out of this spiral will require more than just tweaks in the batting cage — it will require a reset in mindset.

How This Impacts His Contract Negotiations

For Alonso, the looming question is how this slump will influence his contract talks. Before the season began, speculation around the league was that the Mets might either lock him up with an extension or face the daunting prospect of letting him test the open market. Yet the Mets, like any organization, will be reevaluating his value in light of these struggles. While a month-long slump does not erase years of elite production, it does raise questions about whether this is an isolated blip or the beginning of a downward trend.

Other teams eyeing Alonso as a free-agent target will also be considering the risk. In an era where front offices rely heavily on advanced analytics, his decline in hard-hit metrics and plate discipline could be interpreted as a red flag. It’s one thing to pay top dollar for a power-hitting first baseman in his prime; it’s another to commit that kind of money to a player whose production might already be on the decline. The difference between Alonso landing a massive, record-setting deal and receiving a shorter-term, more incentive-based contract could come down to how quickly and convincingly he can rebound from this stretch.

The Mets’ Perspective

From the New York Mets’ perspective, Alonso’s struggles complicate their long-term roster planning. The team has invested heavily in building a roster capable of competing immediately, but committing a massive portion of their payroll to a player who appears to be regressing would be a gamble. On the other hand, letting Alonso walk after being the face of the franchise for years would create a massive void both on the field and in the hearts of fans. It’s a classic organizational dilemma: do you bet on Alonso returning to form and pay him accordingly, or do you hedge against the risk of decline?

The front office may use this slump as leverage in negotiations, lowering the overall contract value or structuring a deal with more performance-based incentives. While Alonso’s camp is likely to push back, arguing that his track record speaks for itself, the reality is that his bargaining power has taken a hit.

What Comes Next for Alonso?

If there is one thing we know about Pete Alonso, it’s that he has the resilience to bounce back. This is a player who, since his debut, has thrived under the bright lights of New York and consistently delivered in high-pressure moments. However, the path forward will require adjustments. Whether that means working with hitting coaches to refine his swing mechanics, taking mental breaks to regain his confidence, or simply grinding through the slump until his natural talent resurfaces, Alonso must act quickly. Every game matters when it comes to restoring his value, especially with contract negotiations on the horizon.

For Alonso, the narrative can still change. A strong finish to the season could erase much of the concern surrounding his slump and restore faith in his long-term viability as a cornerstone player. But time is of the essence, and the baseball world will be watching closely.

The Bigger Picture

Baseball careers are long, and every player — even the great ones — experiences valleys along with peaks. Yet when a slump coincides with the most pivotal financial moment of a career, it takes on an added weight. For Pete Alonso, July 2025 might have been the worst month of his professional life, but it doesn’t have to define him. What matters now is how he responds, both for his own legacy and for the future of his bank account.

In the end, this stretch could either be a cautionary tale about the risks of slumps at critical moments or a temporary setback in the career of one of the game’s most dangerous hitters. But one thing is certain: the next few months will play a massive role in shaping the future of Pete Alonso — both as a player and as a very wealthy man in waiting.