Jeff Passan Makes Controversial Statement On Pete Alonso, Orioles
Hold it right there...
Pete Alonso is reportedly set to join the Baltimore Orioles. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Alonso is finalizing a five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore. It was also revealed shortly after Passan’s reporting (via MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo), that the Mets reportedly never offered Alonso a deal.
With Alonso reportedly set to join the Orioles, Passan followed up his initial post about Alonso with a controversial, steaming-hot take.
Passan suggested that the Orioles now have the best lineup in baseball.
“The Baltimore Orioles … might have the best lineup in baseball,” Passan wrote. “Whatever order Craig Albernaz chooses, he’s got Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso, Jordan Westburg, Taylor Ward, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Sam Basallo, Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser. A wrecking crew.”
After making the postseason in 2023 and 2024, the Orioles entered 2025 with playoff aspirations, buoyed by young stars like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman. But things went south.
Their ’25 campaign unraveled early, marred by injuries, inconsistent offense, and pitching woes that saw the team surrender runs at an alarming rate. A dismal 15-28 start prompted the mid-May firing of manager Brandon Hyde. On the bright side, some of their young studs started to come around. Jackson Holliday refined his plate discipline for a near 20-20 season. Jordan Westburg was limited to 85 games by injury but still belted 17 homers.
The Orioles ended up with a 75-87 record, last in the American League East. Yet, the offseason’s been a busy one for Baltimore. Before Alonso, the O’s traded Grayson Rodriguez for outfielder Taylor Ward, signed reliever Ryan Helsley to a two-year pact, and claimed catcher Drew Romo and outfielder Will Robertson off waivers.
It’s obvious that president of baseball operations Mike Elias is serious about getting things back on track in 2026.
