Bold claim: Kyle Schwarber’s massive contract could reshape the entire free-agent market. And this is the part most people miss: his five-year, $150 million deal may do more than just lock in a slugger for Philadelphia; it could set the pace for long-term deals for elite power hitters who are 30 or older.
In Orlando, veteran agent Scott Boras argues that Schwarber’s agreement will accelerate signings this winter and drive teams to commit to longer contracts for power-first players. He points to Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, a 31-year-old star who Boras represents, as a prime example. Alonso traveled from Tampa to meet with multiple teams at the winter meetings, aiming for a contract of at least seven years, according to the New York Post.
The Mets have been hesitant to offer more than three years, but Boras contends that Schwarber’s deal—guaranteeing around $30 million per year through age 37—signals a willingness in the market to back long-term commitments for elite sluggers. The Phillies were one of only four clubs reportedly willing to offer Schwarber at least four years, with Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati in the mix on deals ranging roughly from $120 million to $150 million.
Boras summarized the market this way: premium power hitters are in high demand, and teams will extend longer contracts to secure that power. He added that even players who are 29 or 30 see a clear path to five-year deals when the product on the field remains elite into the mid-30s.
With Schwarber now under contract, Boras says teams are already contacting him about Alonso, outfielder Cody Bellinger, and third baseman Alex Bregman. The Mets, who reportedly loved outfielder Brandon Nimmo, even traded Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien. They also pursued re-signing closer Edwin Diaz after signing Devin Williams, but ultimately Diaz received a three-year, $66 million offer from another team, which was eclipsed by the Dodgers’ three-year, $69 million deal.
Boras described the Dodgers as the industry’s Goliath, noting that when a big team makes a decisive move, it often dictates terms for others. The Mets, despite their wealth, are showing that popularity isn’t everything: if they consider letting Alonso walk and trade Nimmo, they could potentially let Diaz leave as well.
As the winter market begins to move, Boras stresses there’s no hesitancy from owners to spend, even with a potential lockout looming next December. He argues that owners aren’t worried about paying for performance in the near term; their primary concern is how luxury taxes and future CBA rules will evolve. In Boras’s view, talent ebbs and flows drive success, and most big-market clubs believe the next CBA will be friendlier to their approach than the current one, which reduces immediate risk of locking in long deals.
Bottom line: Schwarber’s landmark deal is more than a milestone for one player. It could recalibrate how teams value age, power, and length, prompting a wave of longer, richer contracts for elite sluggers who are still in their prime or just past it. Do you think other teams will follow suit and chase multi-year commitments for aging power hitters, or will risk be a bigger factor as the market evolves? Share your take in the comments.
