Pete Alonso’s contract getting a “C” grade is shocking – what’s going on with the Mets?

As the MLB calendar rolls past Memorial Day weekend, teams across the league begin to reflect on their performance through the first third of the season. For the New York Mets, things are looking quite promising. At 34-21, they own the second-best record in the National League, trailing only the Philadelphia Phillies by 1.5 games in the NL East.

While there are several reasons for the Mets’ early success in 2025, none shine brighter than Pete Alonso, the team’s cornerstone slugger at first base. Alonso is putting together arguably his best season since his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2019, but curiously, not everyone seems impressed — including Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report, who graded the Mets’ decision to re-sign Alonso as merely a “C.”

Let’s break down Alonso’s impact, the Mets’ impressive start, and why Bleacher Report’s evaluation has sparked controversy.

Mets Rolling into June with October in Sight

After years of inconsistent results and unmet expectations, the New York Mets finally appear to be building sustainable momentum. Their 34-21 record places them not only near the top of the NL East but also securely in the National League Wild Card standings, where they lead by three games.

The offense has been potent, the pitching staff consistent, and the energy around the team and its fans has been palpable. Leading the charge is none other than Pete Alonso, whose leadership and power at the plate have anchored the Mets’ success.

Pete Alonso: Crushing the Ball and Climbing the Record Books

So far in 2025, Pete Alonso has been nothing short of spectacular. With 10 home runs, a .925 OPS, and a steady presence in the middle of the lineup, Alonso is producing at a level not seen since his historic 53-homer rookie campaign.

He’s also chasing Mets history. With 237 career home runs in a Mets uniform, Alonso is just 16 homers away from passing Darryl Strawberry to become the franchise’s all-time leader in long balls.

And all of this production is coming at a bargain price.

Alonso signed a two-year, $54 million contract this past offseason to remain in Queens. For a player of his caliber — with consistent 30+ homer seasons and solid defensive play at first — the deal looks like an outright steal for the Mets, especially considering his current pace.

So Why the Bleacher Report “C” Grade?

Despite Alonso’s torrid start and team-friendly contract, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly gave the Mets a “C” grade for re-signing him. The rationale? Not Alonso’s performance, but rather the short-term nature of the deal and the fear of losing him without compensation next offseason.

“While the $30 million Alonso is making is a bargain for how productive he’s been,” Kelly wrote, “the Scott Boras-client is surely going to opt out of his contract after this season and test free agency again.”

Kelly argues that if Alonso leaves in free agency — which is possible given his agent and age (he’ll be entering his age-31 season in 2026) — the Mets risk getting no draft pick compensation in return.

Grading for the Future, Not the Present?

The Alonso situation is not being judged on his current performance, but on speculative outcomes. Meanwhile, Juan Soto, the Mets’ other marquee signing, received an “A” from Kelly despite lackluster production.

Soto, who signed a 15-year, $765 million mega-deal with the Mets after coming over from the Yankees, has struggled to adapt. Heading into Wednesday’s games, he was batting just .228 with eight home runs and a .756 OPS — numbers far below his usual All-Star output.

Even worse, Mets fans have booed Soto at Citi Field, and manager Carlos Mendoza reportedly had to speak with the star about his lack of hustle. Soto has also publicly admitted that it’s taking him time to adjust to his new surroundings in Queens.

Despite that, Kelly doubled down on the long-term vision:

“If you sign someone to a 15-year deal, your opinion of said contract shouldn’t be altered by a couple months.”

So in summary:

• Soto, with two months of subpar performance and attitude issues, gets an “A” because of potential over 15 years.

• Alonso, with two months of MVP-level output and a team-friendly deal, gets a “C” because he might opt out in the offseason.

Is This Fair to Pete Alonso?

From a fan and performance standpoint, it’s difficult to justify the grade disparity. Alonso has:

• Been a homegrown star since being drafted in the second round in 2016.

• Stayed loyal to the organization amid free agency.

• Outperformed his contract value so far in 2025.

• Shown leadership in the clubhouse and consistency on the field.

If a player performs at a top-10 level in the league, and his contract is considered a bargain by the very person grading it, logic suggests the grade should reflect that.

Critics of Kelly’s analysis argue that his grading system punishes teams for good short-term deals while rewarding them for speculative long-term gambles, regardless of current returns.

Mets Fans Rally Behind Alonso

As the backlash against the “C” grade grew on social media, Mets fans came to Alonso’s defense. Many pointed to the stark contrast in how he has handled New York versus how Soto has.

Alonso, known as “The Polar Bear,” has always embraced the pressure and spotlight of playing in New York. He’s made it clear he wants to win a World Series in a Mets uniform and has never shied away from the city’s passionate fanbase.

Soto, on the other hand, has already expressed frustration, leading some fans to question whether he’s built for the New York stage.

The Contract Conundrum

It’s true that Alonso’s contract includes the potential for early opt-out, but that’s the reality of modern MLB negotiations — especially when dealing with a Scott Boras client. The Mets secured their star slugger without overcommitting long-term, which many would see as smart cap management.

Yes, they might have to pony up with a longer deal next winter — but wouldn’t that still be worth it if Alonso continues producing at an All-Star level?

And if he walks? That’s the risk of every short-term deal. It doesn’t negate the immediate value being delivered this season.

Conclusion: Let the Season Play Out

Ultimately, Memorial Day is traditionally when fans and analysts start taking MLB teams seriously — but it’s still too early to make definitive calls on contracts designed to span seasons, if not decades.

The Mets are thriving, Pete Alonso is crushing it, and the team is headed toward what could be a memorable postseason run. That’s the reality. Any analysis that ignores Alonso’s performance in favor of hypothetical outcomes is, at best, incomplete.

If the New York Mets reach the playoffs — or even the World Series — with Alonso leading the charge, it’ll be hard to look back and justify a “C” grade for one of the smartest and most impactful moves of the offseason.

For now, let the slugger swing and let the games play out. If Alonso keeps hitting like this, the only letter grade that matters will be W — as in wins.