NY Mets rumors: David Stearns needs to break 3 perceived rules to sign Kyle Schwarber

Dua Lipa had new rules. David Stearns has some of the same ones. The sometimes too predictable president of baseball operations of the New York Mets seems to prefer players who match a particular criteria. At times willing to go outside of the box, he’ll need to break three of them to make the Mets rumors of their interest in Kyle Schwarber come true.

Schwarber is sounding more and more like a realistic Mets free agent target. And yet, he brings (or takes) a few qualities the Mets seem to prefer to stay away from.

Signing Kyle Schwarber goes against some philosophical choices the Mets have been strict about with others

1) Kyle Schwarber does nothing for run prevention

The two-word combination is the General Custer of the offseason leading the charge. No one offers less in run prevention than Schwarber who’d strictly be a DH for the Mets. They haven’t completely negated the idea of a DH-only player in the past with the signing of J.D. Martinez prior to 2024 and last year’s re-signing of Jesse Winker who was meant to handle the bulk of at-bats in the spot alongside players like Starling Marte. Those situations were different and circumstantial. Schwarber is a long-term buy, breaking another important rule.

2) Kyle Schwarber is going to get a contract longer than 3 years

If the Mets aren’t going to sign Edwin Diaz for a deal longer than 3 years, they’ll need to do it with Schwarber. Why wouldn’t he ask for a fourth? Someone is going to give the slugging lefty a fourth year even if they know he’s going to limp through the 2029 season. Stearns may not specifically believe all players should be held to a strict 3-year minimum. We know sluggers and relievers are built differently. It would, however, be a bit hypocritical to give Schwarber 4 years and not be willing to do it with Diaz.

3) Kyle Schwarber will cost the Mets draft picks

Stearns broke this rule last year with the signing of Juan Soto. A completely different beast, it’s not as easy to make the case that the Mets should throw away two draft picks and international bonus slot money to sign Schwarber. They have other power-hitting options available to them, Pete Alonso being the one we’re most familiar with. Stearns has been especially protective of the Mets top prospects in his two years leading the team. Schwarber removes the chance for the Mets to add two more to the farm. If there is one rule he might not mind breaking, it’s probably this one. Who’s crying about having Soto and two fewer selections from last year’s draft?