Pete Alonso's Top Free-Agent Landing Spots After Kyle Schwarber's Phillies Contract
The market for proven MLB sluggers got a little smaller after ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Kyle Schwarber is returning to the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million contract.
Longtime agent Scott Boras, who represents Pete Alonso, will have paid close attention. Even if the five-time All-Star can't match Schwarber's contract, removing Schwarber from the board will help turn more attention toward Alonso.
These three teams make a lot of sense for veteran first baseman.
New York Mets
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Alonso has spent his entire career with the New York Mets, who selected him in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft. That familiarity is beneficial during free agency.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns downplayed the need for the team to meet with Alonso and his reps during the winter meetings because of their existing rapport:
If the two parties can find common ground after a much more contentious free agency process last winter, then it stands to reason they can work to extend Alonso's time in the Big Apple now.
Team owner Steve Cohen might want to pull back a bit after spending so lavishly in 2025 and watching the Mets fail to even make the playoffs. But watching Alonso walk would be a blow to their offense for the season ahead.
Boston Red Sox
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MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reported Alonso will meet with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles at the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida. This year's event isn't a far drive from his offseason residence in Tampa.
Back in October, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow was noncommittal when asked whether Triston Casas is penciled in as the starting first baseman in 2026.
A pursuit of Alonso is another sign Boston is weighing all of its options with Casas coming off a ruptured patellar tendon.
Beyond shoring up the position, Alonso would provide some power from the right side of the plate that's sorely lacking with Alex Bregman opting out.
Pittsburgh Pirates
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The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't been big spenders for years, but team owner Bob Nutting might have to invest soon if only to quell the fan unrest.
That makes the Pirates a prime candidate to overspend on a marquee free agent.
Per MLB.com's Alex Stumpf, Pittsburgh offered Schwarber a four-year, $120 million deal before he chose to return to Philly. Bob Nightengale of USA Today also reported the team is "hanging around" in the Alonso sweepstakes.
The Pirates have to start somewhere after they ranked last in home runs (117) and slugging percentage (.350). That's exactly what signing Alonso would help to achieve. He's not transforming the offense all on his own, but he'd be a massive upgrade in the heart of the order.
