Kyle Schwarber to Mets? MLB Insider Calls It 'Juiciest Rumor I Heard This Week'

The New York Mets reportedly could be a factor in luring veteran slugger Kyle Schwarber away from the National League East rival Philadelphia Phillies in free agency.

ESPN's Buster Olney wrote Friday that the Mets making a push to sign Schwarber was "the juiciest rumor I heard this week."

Jeff Passan of ESPN went on to name the Phillies, Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles as teams whose "fortunes depend on where Schwarber goes."

Passan added that teams believe Schwarber wants a five-year contract, and movement could occur on that front during the MLB winter meetings, which take place next week.

The 32-year-old Schwarber has been among the best power hitters in baseball for much of his career, particularly over the past four seasons with the Phillies.

During that stretch, Schwarber has finished with at least 38 home runs and 94 RBI each year, while earning two of his three career All-Star selections and his first Silver Slugger Award.

Last season was easily the best of his career, as he slashed .240/.365/.563 with an NL-leading 56 home runs and 132 RBI. That earned him a second-place finish in the NL MVP voting behind only Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Despite his production, a five-year deal could be a tough sell for most teams since Schwarber would be nearly 38 years old at the end of the contract.

However, the Mets have a deep-pocketed owner in Steve Cohen who has spent freely in recent years, including giving Juan Soto a 15-year, $765 million deal last offseason.

A Mets lineup anchored by Soto, Francisco Lindor and Schwarber would be firmly in the discussion as the best in baseball, but the Mets also have significant needs in their starting rotation and bullpen, so it is fair to wonder if they would be willing to spend big bucks on another bat.