For the first seven weeks of the MLB offseason, the first-base market was frozen. Despite a wealth of intriguing candidates to change threads in both free agency and on the trade block, there was barely any first-base movement to speak of. Starting pitchers continued to find new homes. Seven catchers signed big-league deals. The outfield market picked up steam following Juan Soto’s historic signing.
First basemen, though? Crickets.
As Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, secured lucrative contracts for several other high-profile clients, the first baseman’s uneventful free agency dragged on as the most prominent example of his position being overlooked.
But then, the week before Christmas, a tornado of transactional activity involving Alonso’s positional peers commenced. The Astros, fresh off a failed attempt to trade for Nolan Arenado — a deal that would’ve moved recently acquired Isaac Paredes to first base — pivoted and signed Christian Walker to a three-year deal to solidify their corner infield. The next day, the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal with former MVP Paul Goldschmidt. The D-backs then acquired All-Star Josh Naylor from the Guardians, and Cleveland swiftly replaced Naylor with the signing of veteran switch-hitter and familiar face Carlos Santana. Finally, the Nationals swung a deal with Texas to acquire a former Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award winner in Nathaniel Lowe.
Over the course of 48 hours, five first basemen changed teams. Suddenly, a frigid market had thawed in a hurry. Yet Alonso remained available, with minimal buzz suggesting that would change anytime soon. Indeed, the calendar has nearly flipped to 2025, and Alonso is still unsigned.
To be fair, Alonso is a flawed player, one who provides minimal value defensively or on the basepaths. But for all his deficiencies, he offers a nearly unrivaled combination of durability and power production: Only Marcus Semien has played in more regular-season games since Alonso’s debut in 2019, and only Aaron Judge has hit more home runs.
In fact, Alonso is one of just 10 players in MLB history to hit at least 30 home runs in five of his first six MLB seasons. That group includes five Hall of Famers (Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews, Frank Robinson, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio), a future first-ballot Hall of Famer (Albert Pujols) and three other terrific 21st-century sluggers (Ryan Braun, Dan Uggla, Mark Teixeira). Only Pujols reached the 30-HR threshold in each of his first six big-league…