The two best sluggers on the open market are New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. If Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is deciding between the two, MLB.com’s Ian Browne knows what the best option is.

“I’d say Alonso for two reasons. It’s right-handed power from a player who would play half of his games in Fenway Park. And Alonso doesn’t have a qualifying offer attached to him like Schwarber does,” Browne notes.

Back To Beantown?

“That said, Schwarber was comfortable the first time he was in Boston, and I’m sure he would be again,” Browne adds. “It is going to be fascinating to see how aggressive the Phillies are in trying to bring Schwarber back. It has certainly been a great union between player and city. It feels like they were meant for each other.

“Yet it also feels like the Phillies need to make some fundamental changes in terms of roster construction,” Browne concludes.

Ready To Spend

Regardless of which slugger Breslow decides to pursue, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman believes Boston is ready to back up the Brink’s truck.

“There is strong industry belief that the Red Sox aren’t going to just talk about spending this year, but actually act,” Sherman reports.

Market Projections

MLB Trade Rumors projects Schwarber will return to Philadelphia on a five-year, $135 million contract.

“The Phillies have made no secret of their desire to bring Schwarber back,” according to MLB Trade Rumors. “Phils’ players and executives have effusively praised his clubhouse presence and leadership on top of the dominant results. They issued him a qualifying offer, which he’ll obviously reject. That ensures they’d get a compensatory pick after the fourth round of the 2026 draft if he signs elsewhere, but their offseason priority is to keep him around.

“They’re likely to face a push from the Reds, whose lineup would be transformed if they can convince the Cincinnati-area native to play for his childhood favorite team. There’s an argument for the Cubs bringing him back if (Kyle) Tucker walks, while the Red Sox and Orioles could be long shot suitors,” MLB Trade Rumors adds.

Schwarber is a National League MVP finalist after leading the league with a career-high 56 home runs.

The three-time All-Star spent part of the 2021 season in Boston as a midseason acquisition and helped the Red Sox reach the American League Championship Series.

An 11-year-veteran, Schwarber helped the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series.