The New York Mets are still very much in hot pursuit of Philadelphia Phillies superstar Kyle Schwarber. However, a new report suggests a reunion with homegrown slugger Pete Alonso is much more likely.
With the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings underway, there could be a lot of big moves and signings coming in the next week or so. And that could include some major additions from the Mets. Following an ugly September collapse, the organization seems very motivated to remodel the team and return to the playoffs in 2026.
One rumored strategy to do that is to sign Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber. He is an elite hitter who would make a nice combo with Juan Soto. But his immense value in the locker room, making his teammates and coaches better, is also likely a major reason they are very interested in replacing Pete Alonso’s bat in the lineup with the Philly slugger.
But how likely is a deal with Philadelphia making him a priority this winter? According to New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman, internally, “The Mets see Schwarber as something of a stretch, but not impossible.” He claims his current team is still seen as the heavy favorite among the “half dozen” clubs making a real push for the MVP candidate.
Kyle Schwarber stats: .240 AVG, .365 OBP, .563 SLG, .928 OPS, 56 HR, 132 RBI, 111 R
That includes the Pittsburgh Pirates — who reportedly made a nine-figure offer this week — and his hometown team, the Cincinnati Reds. Heyman admits, the latter “may hold some special allure” for the three-time All-Star. To the league insider, it seems more likely and just makes more sense that New York re-signs Alonso instead of luring away the Phillies’ fan-favorite and leader.
He claims that early contract negotiations between the Mets and the first baseman “did get off to a kinder, gentler start” than they did last year when the Mets’ all-time home run leader didn’t sign a new deal until a few weeks before spring training. But Heyman thinks the club must sign either Schwarber or Alonso, or weaken the strength of their team last season, their lineup.
“The other top hitters (available) are all very nice — Cody Bellinger, who interests them, plus Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker — but they aren’t the sort of slugger the Mets need most,” Heyman writes. “Tucker, especially, doesn’t fit since the Mets already have the best hitter in the league in right field (Soto).”
