NY Mets rumors: Red Sox have a preference between Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber

Who would you rather have playing for the New York Mets in 2026 and beyond: Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber?

Choose the blue pill, you get Alonso back on a lengthy deal. Go red and you’re stealing Schwarber from the Philadelphia Phillies while changing the dynamic of the roster and clubhouse.

You can’t go wrong with either immediately. Both incredible sluggers who’ll sleepwalk their way into contending for a home run title, the Mets are far from the only team looking at the pair this offseason. The Boston Red Sox are lurking and as MLB.com's Ian Brown answered in his AMA about the Beantowners, there’s a clear preference.

The Red Sox would rather have Pete Alonso than Kyle Schwarber

Brown’s argument is easy to understand. Alonso is right-handed which should play well for 81 games at Fenway Park. There’s also no qualifying offer following him around. The Red Sox would be punished by signing Schwarber. Because Alonso received and turned down the QO last year from the Mets, he is vaccinated against ever getting one again.

We can add one more reason for the presence. While a big talk amongst Mets fans has been Alonso’s defense, his ability to play first base is far more attractive than Schwarber’s in left field. The Phillies barely used him at all in the field last year. When Schwarber was with the Red Sox in 2021, he spread out his playing time pretty evenly between left field, first base, and DH. Things have changed with all of the time that has passed. He is clearly more of a DH than anything else.

Red Sox fans hopeful to see Schwarber return to Boston have no one to blame but the team for any hesitation because of the QO. When he became a free agent, the Red Sox didn’t offer him one. 

Extending beyond just the choice between the two is the current structure of their roster. Masataka Yoshida is owed $18.6 million over each of the next two seasons. What can be classified as a disappointing stint with the Red Sox, he has performed his way into being nothing more than a DH and one that doesn’t hit for much power. There isn’t much use at all for him even now let alone with fellow lefty swinger Schwarber added in.

The Red Sox-Alonso connection only grows stronger with this idea. Already having a heavy left-handed lineup and room at first base, Mets fans shouldn’t be shocked to see them come away with the Polar Bear this winter. Would they pivot to Schwarber? Some of those same reasons the Red Sox may prefer Alonso exist for the Mets, too.