Long before Phillies fans fully understood how their offseason would unfold, Pete Alonso already had a clear read on the situation.
Feb 18, 2026; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (25) poses for media day. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Philadelphia’s priority wasn’t a mystery inside the league—it was always Kyle Schwarber.
While Alonso was one of the biggest names available in free agency, the Phillies never seriously positioned themselves as a landing spot. And according to Alonso, that was evident from the very beginning.
“There was a little bit of dialogue, very, very early,” Alonso said. “But they were like, ‘All our eggs are with Schwarbs.’”
That early message told him everything he needed to know.
From the outside, there was at least some speculation about whether the Phillies could pivot if Schwarber left. Alonso, after all, would have been a natural alternative—a proven power hitter with durability and consistent production.
But internally, the direction was already set.
Schwarber was coming off the best offensive season of his career, blasting 56 home runs with 132 RBI and posting a .928 OPS. He had become a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s lineup, not just for his production but for his presence in the clubhouse and connection with the fan base.
Letting him walk was never the plan.
That commitment effectively closed the door on Alonso before it ever truly opened.
It’s not that the Phillies and Alonso weren’t a logical fit. In many ways, they were. Alonso has been one of baseball’s most reliable sluggers, missing very little time over the past several seasons while consistently delivering middle-of-the-order power. In 2025, he added another strong campaign with 38 home runs, 126 RBI, and a career-high 41 doubles.
He also had a personal appreciation for playing in Philadelphia.
“I love playing in Philly,” Alonso said. “The Bank is a fun place to hit. The ball flies. The fans are rowdy.”
But even with that mutual respect, roster construction made things complicated.
Bryce Harper already occupied first base, and adding Alonso would have created overlap without a clear defensive solution. More importantly, the Phillies simply didn’t want to replace Schwarber—they wanted to keep him.
And they did.
While the Baltimore Orioles ultimately landed Alonso after pursuing Schwarber themselves, Philadelphia moved decisively to retain their own slugger, reinforcing just how firm their priorities were all along.
In the end, what may have felt uncertain to fans was anything but behind the scenes.
Alonso recognized it early.
The Phillies had made their choice—and they never wavered.
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