At the moment, the New York Mets are down to one power bat in their lineup, Juan Soto, with Pete Alonso leaving to test free agency. The answer, however, may not be re-signing Alonso, but rather signing someone else in their division.
That someone is Kyle Schwarber from the Mets’ NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies. Fansided’s Zachary Rotman believes that Schwarber has way more value as a power bat than Alonso does, and would form a much scarier duo with Soto.
MORE: Mets predicted to be more likely to retain superstar Pete Alonso as long as he accepts one condition
“Sure, Schwarber doesn't play the field at all at this stage of his career, but if we're being honest, Alonso shouldn't be at first base much anymore either. Alonso offers great protection for Soto, but Schwarber is even scarier for opposing pitchers. Odds are, the Mets won't pony up to sign both Alonso and Schwarber. If the Mets can only land one, it should be the better player, Schwarber, whether Soto wants that or not,” Rotman wrote.
This past season, Schwarber finished slashing.240/.365/.563/.928 with 23 doubles, 56 home runs, and 132 RBI over 162 games. He was runner-up for NL MVP as a DH too, and combine that with another MVP candidate in Soto, and the Mets are dangerous.
Schwarber also led the MLB in RBI last season, and if he were to play with the Mets, his reign as RBI king would surely continue. With guys like Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo, who all routinely get on base, Schwarber would have an easy time batting runs in.
Hopefully, the Mets realize this and get to work. Otherwise, the Phillies will try their best to retain him, and other contenders will try their best to pry him away.
MORE MLB NEWS