Which three potential Kyle Schwarber landing spots would be horrible for Philadelphia Phillies fans? The Phillies and the designated hitter have a mutual interest in agreeing on a multi-year contract this offseason. However, until that happens, the possibility remains that he could be with another franchise in 2026.
With the MLB playoff expansion that began in 2022, the chances increase that the Phillies could play the team that signs Schwarber in the postseason if he agrees to a new deal with a playoff contender in the National League.
From division rivals to potential playoff contenders, which three landing spots would be most troubling?
3 Kyle Schwarber landing spots that would haunt Phillies fans
New York Mets
The New York Mets will look to get back on track following a disappointing 83-79 season that resulted in missing the postseason. With home run hitter Pete Alonso a free agent, they could look to shake up their roster. What better way to do that and sign Schwarber, the best power hitter available, away from one of their National League East rivals?
While Phillies managing partner John Middleton is known for spending money, no other owner in MLB is wealthier than Mets managing partner Steve Cohen. Cohen is right to be disappointed in a Mets club that underachieved in the second half of the season after they signed the biggest free agent available last winter, Juan Soto, to a historic 15-year, $765 million contract.
Could Cohen sign arguably the best hitter available in free agency for the second straight offseason?
According to John Harper of SNY, one Philadelphia media personality said the following if Schwarber signs with the Mets:
"The fans here would never forgive (Middleton) if Schwarber signed with the Mets," one Philadelphia media person told Harper. "And honestly Schwarber is so much the heart and soul of that team -- and he takes that role seriously -- that it’s hard to see him taking the money to go to such a big rival. But you never know; everybody has their price. And I’ll say this: if Cohen really does decide to go after him the way he went after Soto, it would scare the hell out of Philly fans."
If any managing partner is willing to outspend another, it's Cohen. Signing Schwarber would give New York another core hitter besides Soto and Francisco Lindor. If the Mets are looking for another home-run hitter but don't want to re-sign Alonso, why shouldn't they take a chance and sign the MLB leader in RBIs this year?
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres could be looking to add more to their lineup to complement the players they have signed for the next several seasons, including Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth.
San Diego has been a recent playoff contender and will need to keep pace with the other clubs in the National League West, specifically the Los Angeles Dodgers. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand listed the Padres as a team that would make sense to sign Schwarber.
While the Padres front office has developed a reputation for acquiring more talent via trade, the organization should consider signing Schwarber, with one of their trade deadline additions, designated hitter/first baseman Ryan O'Hearn, a free agent.
The Padres may not be seen as a likely suitor for Schwarber, but they make sense. They are looking to remain a playoff contender, are in a competitive division, and have an available spot in their lineup.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves need a designated hitter with Marcell Ozuna hitting free agency. The NL East rival will be looking for an upgrade at the position following his struggles this season. Schwarber represents the best hitter available for teams looking to improve the designated hitter spot in their lineup.
Atlanta's goal is to return to the playoffs next year, and signing Schwarber can help put them in a position to do that. Ozuna, who was one of the Braves top hitters in their lineup entering the 2025 season, looked like the complete opposite by the end of the regular season.
His bWAR decreased from 4.3 to 1.6 within a year. His RBIs fell from 104 to 68, and he finished with a .756 OPS compared to .925 the year before. If the Braves sign Schwarber, they would be getting a better DH and hurting their competition in the NL East, specifically the Phillies.