Orioles needed Pete Alonso for this unsung reason

The Baltimore Orioles paid Pete Alonso a lot of money this offseason to win the free agent bidding battle for the former New York Mets star.

Now, Alonso has a chance to bring his impact to Baltimore.

Yes, Alonso will clearly be a big addition for what he can do at the plate.

MLB.com also writes in a new article that "Alonso is the type of leader this team had been missing."

Last year's Orioles team had talent but didn't have a guy like Alonso who had been there and done that in a way that could rub off on his teammates.

This group is talented, too. But a guy like Alonso could make all the difference simply by lending his leadership to the club.

"Alonso’s numbers during his seven-year MLB career are impressive, and they’re a big reason why the O’s signed the slugging first baseman to a five-year $155 million deal," MLB.com writes in a non-bylined article. "But the 31-year-old brings much more to the team than that, as he showed every day of Spring Training. Whether it was rallying the pitchers together during fielding practice or giving teammates hitting tips from the top step of the dugout during games, his leadership qualities were on display quite often in camp. A veteran addition to a Baltimore core that is still quite young, Alonso’s leadership, knowledge and experience could help get the O’s back on track after a disappointing 2025."

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The Orioles are in what might be the toughest division in baseball. The Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Rays all have the potential to be formidable this season, and most seasons.

For Baltimore to compete, it needs to remain steady and keep composure even when things get tough.

A leader like Alonso can help them do just that.

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