ORLANDO, Fla. — One of the few free agents who could potentially have given the Mets a power upgrade over Pete Alonso was removed from the board Tuesday.
Kyle Schwarber reached agreement with the Phillies on a five-year contract worth $150 million, according to sources, returning him to the team for which he finished second in the National League MVP voting last season.
The Mets were interested in Schwarber, as they continue to consider lineup possibilities that include and exclude Alonso.
Alonso was expected to arrive Tuesday night at the Winter Meetings to meet with interested teams, including the Red Sox and Orioles, according to a source.
Earlier this week, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said he had no plans to convene with the first baseman at these meetings.
Schwarber, 32, led the NL with 56 homers last season. He led MLB with 132 RBIs.
The Mets could have paired Schwarber with Juan Soto to give the Mets baseball’s premier lefty-hitting combo.
Adding another big left-handed bat became a more realistic option with the team’s trade of Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien.
Schwarber’s removal from the board figures to leave the focus on Alonso for teams in search of raw power.
Alonso last season blasted 38 homers, providing Soto with needed lineup protection.
But the Mets, looking to upgrade defensively, may have concerns about Alonso’s lack of range at first base.
“Right-handed power is a commodity,” Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, said at the Winter Meetings. “A guy that can play on the dirt is a commodity. And all the teams we met with, not one doesn’t want Pete to play first base — I think because of his digs and what he does. There’s a lot said about his defense, but we’re learning it’s very positive because they don’t have many first baseman that can play every day in the field and carry the offensive thrust.”
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