Mets in the mix for Kyle Schwarber

According to a report from Jeff Passan, the Mets remain ‘in the mix’ for Kyle Schwarber alongside the Red Sox, the Reds, and the predicted favorite, the Phillies. Passan “would be surprised if [the Winter Meetings] end and he doesn’t have a team.”

Schwarber, entering his age 33 season, has played in parts of 11 big league seasons and, since 2022, has been the keystone of the Phillies’ lineup as their designated hitter and occasional left fielder. In his four seasons in Philadelphia, Schwarber hit .226/.349/.507 with 187 home runs, 85 doubles, and 434 RBIs.

If the Mets were to sign Schwarber to a multi-year deal, it would likely close the book on Pete Alonso’s tenure on the Mets, as it seems unlikely to have both Schwarber, who has appeared in just 14 games in the field over the past two seasons, and Alonso, whose defense is likely heading him for a hitting-only role shortly, on the roster for more than a year or two, and both are seeking longer term contracts.

Over the course of their careers, Alonso has put up 23.3 bWAR to Schwarber’s 19.9, but Fangraphs has that reversed, with Schwarber’s 21.8 fWAR edging out Alonso’s 20.8. Schwarber’s 2023, when he batted .197/.343/.474 with a league-leading 215 strikeouts alongside 126 walks and 47 home runs is a perfect illustration of the three true outcomes approach that Schwarber brings to the table. While Alonso’s game is slightly more balanced, as both move into a likely ‘DH only’ portion of their careers, Alonso’s (limited) defensive abilities shouldn’t really come into play when choosing between the two, if that is what the Mets will have to do. Alonso is entering his age 31 season.

On MLB Network this morning, Jon Morosi expects Schwarber to sign during the Winter Meetings, ahead of fellow free agent Kyle Tucker.