Let's talk about Kyle Schwarber

[Benjamin Grimm]

The rumors are out there.

He's younger than I thought he was... He'll turn 33 in March.

I don't see the Mets signing both Schwarber and Pete, and I'd rather have Pete. But Schwarber would make a formidable DH.

[Frayed Knot]

Schwarber is, was, and will be, strictly a DH, so, yeah, that limits the likelihood of a pairing both him and an aging Pete on the same squad for the next half-decade.

Bryce Harper, signed for six more years (no options, no opt-outs, no if/ands/buts) is, having recently turned 33, a full two years older than Pete, and that's likely a

big reason why Schwarber is on the market in the first place rather than being coaxed into re-upping with the Phils prior to becoming a FA.

[Centerfield]

Yeah. It would be hard to justify letting Pete walk for fear of his 33-35 seasons and bad defense, then turning around and signing Schwarber. Though I guess you can make the argument that three years is less risk than five.

I know batting average isn’t what it used to be. But I don’t think id enjoy rooting for a guy who hits for an average that low. And strikes out that much.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Reports indicate that the Pirates have made a four-year offer to Schwarber. According to Ken Rosenthal, it's almost surely worth more than $100 million. (I would think that any serious offer for Schwarber would top $25 million per year.)

[Frayed Knot]

Both Pitt & Cincy (he's from around there) have been mentioned this winter as potential Schwarber destinations.

[Centerfield]

I'm still skeptical that the Mets interest is anything but just trying to drive up his asking price for the Phillies etc., and leverage in the Alonso sweepstakes.

but I guess I could envision a scenario where the Mets are like "hey Pete, we love you, but if you don't take our four year deal, we gotta move on Schwarber now". And if Pete doesn't blink, maybe that's how you end up with Schwarber.

[Edgy MD]

Fun Fact — Kyle has led the league in schWAR for 11 straight seasons.

[metirish]

BREAKING: Slugger Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a five-year, $150 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The NL MVP runner-up, one of the best home run hitters and clubhouse leaders in baseball, is returning to Philadelphia.

Passan

[duan]

That is bad news for those of us who thought we might get Pete Back at 3*30 or so...

[smg58]

That's higher than I would go for a DH not named Shohei, but I'm not really surprised the Phillies valued him more than anybody else.

[Centerfield]

I wonder how many will pivot to Alonso now.

[ashie62]

5/150 for Schwarber

Pete should be ecstatic

And ready to clean out his Mets locker

[Cowtipper]

40-50 homer power with the potential for 200 strikeouts and generally lower to middling averages usually == quick collapses a la Chris Carter, Chris Davis and Joey Gallo when they begin. I think the Mets lucked out on this one.

[Edgy MD]

Or, hopefully, they smarted in.

[Frayed Knot]

Schwarber's plus is his high BB-rate (close to double lg averages) which, when combined w/the power, give him mid-300s OBPs and OPS+ rates in the 130-150 range which, in turn, makes him a bit closer to Jim Thome than to the likes of Kingman or Gallo.

That said, the biggest problem with Schwarber for five years is that he's two years older than Alonso (33 in March) and even more position-less ('specially w/Harper now anchored to 1B) so I wouldn't have wanted him with that contract either.

[Centerfield]

Yeah. Five years to a 33 year old with no position is significantly more of a risk than 5 years to a 31 year old that can at least play 1B at a passable level.

And to be clear, I’m not saying 5 years to Pete is a smart move either. I just think that if you’re going to take that chance on anyone, a franchise icon is where you do it.

Also, I feel like Pete could have been locked up last year to a four year deal.