Next Move For Red Sox Rather Obvious After Phillies Re-Sign Kyle Schwarber

Craig Breslow and the Red Sox want to add power to Boston’s batting order and there’s now only one clear-cut way to do so.

It’s sign Pete Alonso, or miss out on the two power bats in MLB free agency.

Throughout the offseason, the Red Sox have been linked to top-of-market sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Alonso. Schwarber, however, is no longer an option. The Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday re-signed Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million contract, according to multiple reports.

“You have two major power bats in this free agency,” NESN analyst Lou Merloni said while reacting to the Schwarber news, as posted to X. “One is Schwarber. One is Pete Alonso. If you’re really going to add serious power to this lineup, it has to be Alonso. It’s got to be Pete Alonso.

“If Pete signs somewhere else, now you got to get creative. Now you got to add good hitters, not 45-50 home run potential. Alonso has to be in play.”

The Red Sox reportedly will meet with Alonso at MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando on Tuesday. Boston is viewed as the team “best positioned” to sign the veteran slugger, who could rotate with Triston Casas at first base and serve as Boston’s designated hitter.

A five-time MLB All-Star, Alonso has spent the past seven seasons with the New York Mets, which is why the Mets appear to be Boston’s biggest competition.

If the Red Sox don’t land Alonso, there are other hitters who could bolster the lineup. But none bring the power-hitting prowess Alonso does.