ST. LOUIS — The baseball world is shaking as Chaim Bloom, the new executive chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals, is reportedly preparing to spend more than $100 million to snatch the New York Mets’ most powerful star — Pete Alonso — in an effort to revive the once-dominant National League team.
According to multiple sources, the Cardinals have held several closed-door meetings at Busch Stadium to discuss “Operation Power Swing” — a plan to redshirt Alonso, one of the league’s most feared bats, as early as the 2026 season.
Bloom, who was once known for his frugal philosophy with the Red Sox, is now going completely against the grain. He reportedly convinced Cardinals management to pay more than $100 million to trigger Alonso’s buyout clause in his contract with the Mets, a move that was seen as a “declaration of war” with the entire National League.
An unnamed executive told FOX Sports: “If Bloom does bring Alonso to St. Louis, it will be a turning point in bringing the Cardinals back to power. He is betting his legacy.”
Pete Alonso, 30, has been the face of the Mets for the past half-decade. He has 44 home runs and 118 RBIs in the 2025 season, ranking third in MLB. More than just a slugger, Alonso is known as the spiritual leader and heart of the New York locker room.
However, tensions between Alonso and Mets management – especially after the team was eliminated early from the postseason – have caused a chill in the relationship between the two sides. Alonso is reportedly unhappy with the direction the Mets are taking, while the Cardinals are looking for a new offensive icon after Paul Goldschmidt entered the twilight years of his career.
“St. Louis has tradition, passion, and legacy,” a source close to Alonso said. “Pete wants to win a title, and Bloom has promised him the Cardinals will be fighting for the silverware next year.”
According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, the Cardinals’ $100 million package will include:
$75 million in cash for the Mets’ buyout fee,
$25 million in signing bonuses and a three-year commitment,
plus trade opt-out clauses and a personal image share clause.
It would be the biggest deal in Cardinals history, surpassing the 2021 deal for Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies.
Bloom believes Alonso is the “missing piece” to restoring the Cardinals’ winning DNA. And he’s betting it all on the 2026 season.
After two disappointing seasons, St. Louis is in a complete turnaround. Under Bloom, the team is focused on combining youth from the farm system with experienced stars. Alonso’s arrival, if realized, would create a formidable offensive lineup alongside Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Gorman, and Jordan Walker.
“Bloom isn’t just rebuilding the Cardinals,” says one insider. “He’s declaring war on the entire National League.”
If the Pete Alonso deal goes through, it would be more than just a financial coup; it would also herald the return of a dynasty. With this $100 million deal, the Cardinals are no longer a rebuilding team — they are a title challenger.
And as Chaim Bloom sat down in the conference room Tuesday night, his eyes fell on the wall with pictures of legends Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols. He said just one sentence:
“If the Cardinals want to regain their glory… it’s time to strike.”
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