Schwarber Signs with Phillies

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Mets’ hopes of boosting their lineup took a hit on Tuesday as Kyle Schwarber signed a five-year, $150 million deal with the Phillies. This comes after Schwarber’s strong performance last season, where he finished second in National League MVP voting.

The Mets had considered bringing Schwarber on board while contemplating their future with Pete Alonso, trying to decide how the lineup might shift.

Alonso is expected to arrive at the winter meetings later tonight and is set to meet with a few interested teams, including the Red Sox and Orioles. However, Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns earlier mentioned that there weren’t any immediate plans to discuss with Alonso.

In a standout season last year, Schwarber hit a league-leading 56 home runs and racked up an impressive 132 RBIs.

Had the Mets secured Schwarber, they could have created an outstanding left-handed hitting duo alongside Juan Soto—definitely a tantalizing thought.

But with Schwarber now signed, the focus shifts back to Alonso, who hit 38 home runs last season and was a solid support for Soto in batting defense.

This could be an opportunity for the Mets, especially after trading away Brandon Nimmo and Marcus Semien to the Rangers, which might have opened up the possibility of adding another big left-handed hitter.

While Alonso brings power, questions linger about his defensive capabilities at first base. His agent, Scott Boras, pointed out that right-handed power is highly valued, noting that teams often hesitate to place Alonso at first base, leading to some concerns regarding his defensive skill set.

It seems like, at this point, the Mets are weighing their options carefully as they navigate this offseason’s complexities.