Puma: Scherzer Could Prod Mets to Pursue Schwarber

No team has done more in the way of additions and improvements as the New York Mets this offseason. Not only did they address some serious concerns within the rotation and lineup, but they did so with some splashy, head-turning deals with All-Stars Starling Marte and of course, Max Scherzer. Still, there remains some more work to be done.

It’s no big secret that the Mets still covet a left-handed power bat that they can insert in the middle of their batting order.

And while some interesting free agent options are still available and looking for a new home, none of them are as enticing as slugger Kyle Schwarber when it comes to pure left-handed power.

Schwarber, 28, is coming off an impressive season where he crushed 32 home runs and posted a .554 slugging percentage and .928 OPS across 113 games with the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox.

Posting a career-best 3.2 WAR last season, Schwarber’s raw power was on full display and self-evident in 2021. Half of his 32 home runs had an exit velocity of 110+ MPH, second only to Shohei Ohtani among lefthanded batters.

Mike Puma of the New York Post now adds some intrigue where Schwarber and the Mets are concerned. A source tells him that Max Scherzer — who spent four months with Schwarber while with the Nationals  — may be prodding Mets GM Billy Eppler to pursue his former teammate.

However, Puma aptly points out that before they can pull the trigger on a deal for Schwarber, they must first decide how they will proceed with Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil, both of whom are on the trading block.

Personally,  I believe Smith’s tenure with the Mets is more secure, especially with the likelihood that the DH is here to stay in the National League.  Adding Schwarber to the mix would give new manager Buck Showalter plenty of flexibility between the two sluggers to play first base, left field and DH.

Reports linked the Red Sox, Phillies, and Marlins to Schwarber before the lockout. MLB Trade Rumors predicts that Schwarber will get a four-year. $70 million deal this offseason.

However if the Mets do decide to pursue Schwarber, owner Steve Cohen has shown a propensity for getting whoever he wants. He has already blown past the luxury tax threshold and has not been scared off by any bidding wars – in fact – he seems to relish them. Stay tuned.