It’s no secret that the Purple Sox are searching for an influence bat to anchor the center of the lineup, and this previous week on the GM Conferences in Las Vegas chief baseball officer Craig Breslow steadily acknowledged that reality.
There are two apparent candidates on the high of the free agent market, these being New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber. The 2 have been among the many most prolific residence run hitters in baseball over the previous 5 years, and both would instantly give the Purple Sox lineup the enhance it wants.
However when push involves shove, who ought to the Purple Sox make their high goal?
Alonso has two notable elements working in his favor.
One, he bats right-handed whereas Schwarber bats lefty. That may make him a greater match for the Purple Sox’s lineup, which presently tilts closely left-handed, and would permit him to drag the ball into and over the Inexperienced Monster at Fenway Park.
Two, Alonso doesn’t have a qualifying supply hooked up to him, whereas Schwarber does. Which means the Purple Sox or another workforce might signal Alonso with out having to forfeit a draft decide, whereas signing Schwarber would price the membership a decide plus no matter cash it could take to carry him aboard.
These particulars will make Alonso interesting, however how do the 2 evaluate on the sector?
Since making his MLB debut in 2019 Alonso has been essentially the most constant and dependable energy hitter in baseball. The 30-year-old’s 264 residence runs rank third within the massive leagues over that stretch, and he’s by no means hit fewer than 34 residence runs in a full 162-game season.
This previous 12 months Alonso hit 38 residence runs and an NL-best 41 doubles, batted .272 with an .871 OPS, posted 3.4 wins above alternative and performed in all 162 video games.
You gained’t be stunned to listen to the participant with essentially the most homers since 2019 is New York Yankees star Aaron Choose, however the different with greater than Alonso is none aside from Schwarber, who has hit 268 homers throughout that stretch.
Schwarber has been particularly harmful since becoming a member of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022.
Over the previous 4 years the 32-year-old has hit 46, 47, 38 and an NL-high 56 residence runs. This 12 months Schwarber additionally tallied an MLB-best 132 RBI, batted .240 with a .928 OPS, posted 4.7 WAR as a delegated hitter and was voted a finalist for NL MVP.
Schwarber additionally has an extended monitor file of success within the postseason.
Over his first 11 MLB seasons Schwarber has participated within the playoffs 10 occasions. He helped the Chicago Cubs finish their 108-year World Sequence drought in 2016, performed a pivotal function in getting the Purple Sox to the 2021 ALCS after arriving at that summer time’s commerce deadline, and since signing with the Phillies has helped the membership attain the postseason 4 straight years after having beforehand not made it since 2011, together with a World Sequence look in 2022.
Alonso has solely performed within the postseason twice, although he authored one of many best moments in current New York Mets historical past along with his go-ahead ninth-inning residence run to stun the Milwaukee Brewers in Sport 3 of the 2024 NL Wild Card sequence.
By way of roster match, Alonso seemingly has an edge. Moreover being a right-handed hitter, the Purple Sox might additionally use somebody who can play first base greater than somebody who’s primarily a DH and occasional outfielder.
Triston Casas is presently projected because the membership’s beginning first baseman and expects to be prepared for spring coaching, however coming off a critical knee damage his well being can’t be taken with no consideration in both the brief or long run. Alonso slotting in at first would give the Purple Sox certainty at that place whereas leaving open the likelihood Casas might function the DH as soon as he’s able to go.
Schwarber could be an apparent improve over anybody the Purple Sox presently have within the DH combine, however his skillset and profile nearly completely overlaps with Masataka Yoshida, who can be a left-handed hitting DH/outfielder, solely with out the facility. Carrying each gamers on the roster could be extraordinarily troublesome, and it could additionally depart the Purple Sox susceptible at first base in case Casas both isn’t prepared for Opening Day or will get damage once more.
So far as cash goes, it ought to most likely be a wash. MLB Trade Rumors projects Alonso will land a deal within the vary of 4 years, $110 million whereas Schwarber is projected to get 5 years, $135 million regardless of his qualifying supply.
Both deal could be completely inside Boston’s price range, so whereas Alonso seems to be the higher match general, this can be a case the place the Purple Sox most likely can’t go unsuitable both manner.
