Failed Kyle Schwarber hunters have a chance to make the NY Mets look real bad

We were led to believe that the New York Mets had some heavy interest in Kyle Schwarber. The implications were far and wide, including a potential end to the relationship with Pete Alonso and a squeeze of Mark Vientos off the roster.

At the end of the day, the rumors were just that, baseless smoke. The finalists for Schwarber have been revealed, and the Mets were nowhere among them. The Philadelphia Phillies won the bidding at five years for $150, but they were matched by the Baltimore Orioles, who came in with the same offer.

The other two finalists were some of the smallest markets in the league. The Cincinnati Reds hoped that the hometown connection could help them land the plane at a slight discount, coming in at five years, but only $125 million. The stingy Pittsburgh Pirates matched the $30 million AAV with one less year on the deal, offering four years for $120 million. This all should tell you something.

The Kyle Schwarber finalists that missed out have a chance to make the Mets look really bad

First, there's the fact that if the Mets were serious at all in their pursuit, they wouldn't have let the runts of the league outbid them, if they even bid at all. Second, what this could mean for the clubs that missed out.

After Schwarber, the best power bat on the market is Pete Alonso, who also offers some semblance of defensive value, even if he isn't very good at it. It might sound like a little thing, but being able to take the field is an advantage over someone so cement-footed that DH is the only way to get them into the lineup.

All three of the runners-up share something in common: they're all in desperate need of power. Baltimore ranked 19th in the league with a .394 slugging percentage last season. Cincinnati came in 21st with a .391 mark. Pittsburgh? The Pirates brought up the rear with a league-worst .350 effort.

Despite limited resources, all three clubs made serious plays for Schwarber, showing that they take their needs seriously. The same can't be said for the Mets, who also watched Edwin Diaz slip through their fingers.

All three could likely turn their attention to Alonso now, with designs on playing him at either first base or DH. In fact, the Orioles are one of only two teams to have a meeting with Alonso on the books. The other is not the Mets, but rather the Boston Red Sox.

Presumably, the Reds and Pirates will take the money they had earmarked for Schwarber and try their luck with Alonso now. And if his market is as cool as it seems, one of the trio might have a real shot at landing him.

If that happens and the Mets let the guppies of the league show them up again with yet another power bat that they need, it will be a true embarrassment that will lead to fans rightfully questioning David Stearns' offseason strategy.