The New York Mets have a chance to pull off a coup in the NL East.
Kyle Schwarber is a free agent from the Philadelphia Phillies after slugging 56 home runs in a career year. What if he ended up in Queens?
ESPN's David Schoenfield suggested that idea in a new article breaking down free agency on Monday. He acknowledges that Schwarber's best fit might be a return to Philly, but then he suggests the Mets as a fascinating alternative.
"Think the Mets would love to steal Schwarber away from the Phillies?" Schoenfield writes. "Addition and then subtraction from your rival. Would Schwarber leave the Phillies for the enemy? Players are a lot less loyal than we'd like to believe. Starling Marte was the Mets' primary DH and he's a free agent, plus consider: The Mets signed Soto and Alonso had a better season -- and yet they still scored two fewer runs than 2024. It was an above-average offense, fifth in the NL in runs, but it wasn't a great offense. Adding Schwarber could take it to the next level."
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The Phillies have a handful of prominent free agents, also including the likes of Ranger Suarez and J.T. Realmuto. After not breaking through in the postseason, it'd make sense for Philadelphia to look for at least some kind of fresh start.
Schwarber would still be of plenty use to the Phillies, but he'd also be valuable to every other team in baseball. Even as a DH-only player, he's such a good hitter that he's going to get a big contract this offseason.
The Mets certainly have the money to win any bidding war. And they should have an opening at DH.
It might come down to a Schwarber preference more than anything. He might love the idea of hitting in the same lineup as Juan Soto, or he might want to return and keep hitting with Bryce Harper.
Either way, whatever Schwarber does is going to have big implications on the NL East.
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