A new report suggests that the on-field war between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies could continue in free agency as they try and lure away each other’s top free agents.
While the pair of NL East teams had very different results in 2025, neither was the one the teams aimed for or paid for. New York completed a disastrous collapse in September and missed the playoffs. Philadelphia, on the other hand, posted its most wins (96) in over a decade, but was ousted in four ALDS games by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That’s why big changes are expected to be made this winter. However, one thing Philly wants to stay the same is having Kyle Schwarber in one of their uniforms. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden believes that to keep the MVP candidate, it will cost the Phillies five years and $160 million. He also thinks only three teams in the league are a good fit for the slugger, and one of them is the Mets.
If New York loses first baseman Pete Alonso in free agency this winter, targeting Schwarber would make a lot of sense to help fill the huge power void that would be left. Yet, that might not be the only big-time player the wealthy teams could get into a bidding war over.
- Kyle Schwarber stats: .240 AVG, .365 OBP, .563 SLG, .928 OPS, 56 HR, 132 RBI, 111 R
Could Mets and Phillies be in bidding war for Pete Alonso, Ranger Suarez?
There isn’t a great deal of confidence that New York will be able to re-sign Pete Alonso this year in free agency after the months of off and on negotiations last year. While teams like the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners have long been viewed as potential suitors for the first baseman, Bowden listed the Phillies as the second-best fit for Alonso this offseason, after the Mets.
If Philly feels Schwarber’s asking price is beyond what they are willing to pay, replacing his bat with Alonso’s and hurting the Mets in the process by having a homegrown star head down I-95 is a realistic possibility. Bowden believes the five-time All-Star will land a six-year deal worth $182 million.
Pete Alonso stats: .272 AVG, .347 OBP, .524 SLG, .871 OPS, 38 HR, 126 RBI, 87 R
Veteran pitcher Ranger Suarez is another top impending free agent for the defending National League East champions after another good season in 2025. He is expected to get a lot of interest from around the league on the open market. The MLB insider believes two teams are the early favorites for his services. And they are again, the Phillies and Mets.
It sure seems that, at least to Bowden, the NL East rivals will be in many heated free agent battles this offseason.
