Breaking: Washington Nationals Lead Pack in Pursuit of…
It’s been a lousy run for the Washington Nationals since the team won the 2019 World Series. Since going all-in to win the Major League Baseball championship that season, the Nationals have shed salary the way a golden retriever sheds fur.
Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Juan Soto, and Anthony Rendon all headed out for greener pastures — though not bringing back Rendon turned out to be a win. Washington promptly dropped to the basement of the National League East and has remained at or near the foot of the division ever since.
However, Anthony Franco, Tim Dierkes, and Darragh McDonald, and of MLB Trade Rumors, are all in agreement that Washington is poised to open the pursestrings in a major way by signing New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso this winter.
Alonso, a major driving factor in the Mets’ surprising run to the NL Championship Series this past autumn, is expected to land one of the largest free agent contracts that will be inked this offseason.
Spotrac currently lists Alonso’s market value as commanding an annual salary of $29 million. The MLBTR trio agrees with a prediction that the 29-year-old slugger will receive a five-year, $125 million deal to take over first base in the nation’s capital.
Alonso debuted in 2019 with 53 home runs and 120 RBI in a campaign that saw him win the NL Rookie of the Year award.
However, while Alonso continues to be one of the most feared hitters in the majors, his batting average has declined over his six MLB seasons. After hitting .260 in his rookie year and .271 in 2022, the four-time All-Star hit a paltry .217 in 2023 and a slightly better .240 in 2024.
