If there is one thing Steve Cohen loves more than winning, it is winning while simultaneously making a division rival miserable. The latest rumblings from the hot stove suggest the Mets are preparing to do exactly that, with Mike Mayer of Metsmerized reporting that the team is legitimately considering a run at Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.
While the idea of signing a 32-year-old designated hitter usually screams “retirement contract,” Schwarber isn’t your typical aging veteran; he is a force of nature who just swatted 56 home runs in 2025 and seems to be getting stronger with age.
The Mets have a unique opportunity to weaponize their payroll in a way that fundamentally shifts the balance of power in the NL East.
Adding Schwarber isn’t just about bolstering the middle of the order; it is about taking the most terrifying bat from the Phillies’ lineup and planting it right next to Juan Soto in Queens. Imagine a lineup where pitchers have to navigate Soto’s discipline only to immediately face Schwarber’s violent, fence-clearing aggression—it is the kind of lefty-lefty nightmare that keeps pitching coaches awake at night.
The Vientos Shuffle and the End of the Polar Bear Era
Of course, bringing in a full-time designated hitter like Schwarber requires a defensive reshuffle, specifically regarding Mark Vientos. With Pete Alonso’s tenure in New York looking increasingly precarious as he tests free agency, the door is wide open for Vientos to slide across the diamond and take over first base permanently. Vientos has proven his bat is major-league ready, and moving him to the field solves the defensive logjam that has plagued the Mets for two seasons.
If Alonso walks, replacing his production with Schwarber is arguably an upgrade in the power department, especially given Schwarber’s recent 56-homer campaign compared to Alonso’s slightly more mortal numbers.
It signals a philosophical shift from the front office: they aren’t paying for sentimental value or “homegrown” narratives anymore; they are paying for pure, unadulterated slugging. Vientos at first base and Schwarber at DH gives the Mets a younger, more flexible defensive alignment while actually increasing the overall power ceiling of the roster.
The Cost of brute Force
Nobody hits 56 home runs and signs for cheap, even if they are on the wrong side of 30. Projecting Schwarber’s next deal is tricky, but given his production, a five-year contract in the range of $145 million seems like the floor for a hitter of his caliber. That $29 million annual average value is a steep price for a player who offers zero defensive value, but in a market where offense is at a premium, you pay for the singular skill that changes scoreboard totals instantly.
Steve Cohen has never blinked at high annual salaries for shorter-term commitments, but a five-year pact pushes the limits a bit. It is a “win-now” move in its purest form, prioritizing immediate impact over long-term sustainability. If Schwarber can replicate even 80% of his 2025 production, that contract will look like a bargain by July.
Looking Ahead: A Lineup Built to Bludgeon
The Mets are clearly tired of being the “little brother” in the division, and signing the guy who has tormented them for years is a definitive way to change that narrative. Pairing Schwarber with Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor creates a three-headed monster that rivals any trio in baseball history for pure offensive potency. It sends a message to Atlanta and Philadelphia that the road to the NL East crown is going to be a shootout, and the Mets are bringing the biggest guns they can find.
Ultimately, this move comes down to whether David Stearns believes Vientos can handle the defensive responsibilities at first base. If the internal metrics say yes, then signing Schwarber becomes a no-brainer that accelerates the team’s championship timeline. The Phillies might hate it, the fans might be shocked by it, but watching Kyle Schwarber launch “Schwarbombs” into the apple in Citi Field is a sight Mets fans could get used to very quickly.
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