There was no shortage of power hitters available on the free-agent market this offseason.
In a recent ESPN breakdown ahead of Opening Day, it was highlighted how a series of moves ended up linking multiple teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, and Cincinnati Reds, through a chain of interconnected decisions and signings.
The sequence of moves began with Kyle Schwarber signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, which then set off a chain reaction. Shortly after, Pete Alonso left the New York Mets to join the Baltimore Orioles, and eventually Eugenio Suarez landed with the Cincinnati Reds instead of Schwarber.
These moves significantly reshaped the National League landscape, while also boosting the Orioles’ competitiveness in the AL East with Alonso’s addition.
As ESPN’s Jesse Rogers explained, Schwarber’s decision directly influenced Alonso’s deal with Baltimore—reportedly for $5 million more—and ultimately led to Suárez signing with Cincinnati. The Reds had initially targeted Schwarber, a local product, but pivoted after missing out on him. Meanwhile, the Mets’ pursuit of Kyle Tucker—who ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers—wasn’t necessarily caused by Schwarber’s move, but landing him could have helped New York keep up with the top offensive teams in their division.
The New York Mets addressed their lineup this offseason by signing Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco to handle the infield corners.
They were also aggressive on the trade market, acquiring Luis Robert Jr. to take over in center field and Marcus Semien to slot in at second base.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies made a major statement by bringing back Kyle Schwarber, a move that helped them retain much of their core heading into another season.
The Baltimore Orioles, on the other hand, appeared to be targeting Pete Alonso from the start. Once Schwarber’s contract set the market, they had a clear benchmark and ultimately secured Alonso—meaning the Mets parted ways with their fan-favorite “Polar Bear.”
In Cincinnati Reds, the situation led to a reunion with Eugenio Suarez, a move that only became realistic after their pursuit of Schwarber fell through.
As always, the MLB offseason created a web of interconnected decisions, and now that the season is underway, all eyes turn to how these moves will actually play out on the field.
