The Philadelphia Phillies face a busy offseason as they work to build the strongest roster possible, and one of their biggest decisions involves Kyle Schwarber. While bringing him back would help their offense, his next contract could be expensive and risky.
“The Phillies should not re-sign Schwarber to a multi-year contract. Not signing him will hurt the club offensively and the front office would need a plan to replace the home run hitter. However, what if they bring him back for multiple years and he begins to decline? Either decision brings a certain amount of risk,” TBOH’s Matt Grazel explained. “This roster needs substantial changes. While unpopular and risky, the decision not to re-sign Schwarber represents the best chance for Dombrowski to shake up the roster, which is necessary at this point.”
Rather than keep Schwarber, Philadelphia could look to a division rival—the New York Mets—and make an aggressive move for Pete Alonso, the Mets’ all-time home run leader.
“The Phillies could utilize Alonso at first base and Bryce Harper move back to the outfield, a position of need for the team depending on what the front office does this winter,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Eric Beaston.
Adding Alonso would be a massive boost, especially if Schwarber departs, and Philadelphia has become an attractive destination in recent years. The downside? The price tag.
“Predicted Contract: 7 years, $210 million,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter projected.
If Alonso joins the Phillies, Bryce Harper would likely shift back to the outfield—a move made easier by the expectation that Nick Castellanos will be traded or released before 2026.
Alonso is one of the premier first basemen in baseball, making him a blockbuster addition and allowing the Phillies to land a major blow to the Mets in the process.