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New York Mets 1B/DH Jorge Polanco during an April 13, 2026 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The New York Mets, as the losses mount, look at a roster that appears ill-equipped to handle the rigors of the MLB schedule. When they let first baseman Pete Alonso leave via free agency, many believed that the team would replace the slugger’s production in some way, shape, form, or fashion.

Yet, when the franchise signed Jorge Polanco to play first, eyes rolled. Moreover, a division rival was about to let the answer to New York’s power outage walk away. Tim Boyle of FanSided believes Kyle Schwarber’s presence would’ve improved the team’s offense.

“Instead of paying the piper and getting Kyle Schwarber, the Mets settled with Jorge Polanco at the DH spot. The plan was to have him play some first base and DH while providing them with added depth around the infield. Instead, Polanco has been out for nearly a month already after homering just once and driving in a pair. They’re paying him $20 million this year and next to be more of a punchline than an offensive haymaker.”

Schwarber currently leads MLB with 16 home runs. Meanwhile, as a team, the Mets slugged just 31. On top of that, Mark Vientos leads the team with five.

Kyle Schwarber keeps on MASHING 😤

He is now tied for the league-lead after homering in 4 straight games! pic.twitter.com/augGEHGZlj

— MLB (@MLB) May 10, 2026

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Schwarber Would’ve Changed the Balance of NL East Power

If the Mets believed that Pete Alonso’s defense would continue to decline, signing Schwarber for five million dollars less could have served as a serious upgrade. While not a standout at the position, the 33-year-old would provide the team with something it desperately needs: a lefty power bat that can play functional defense while launching baseballs over the fence.

Granted, Schwarber’s .237 average may not resonate with metrics. However, he hits home runs and takes walks, an accomplishment that Alonso could only accomplish half of.

More importantly, taking Schwarber out of the ‘Phillies’ lineup forces the team to rely almost entirely on Bryce Harper to generate most of the left-handed power, making Philadelphia one-dimensional from that side of the plate. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns gambled on Polanco, and early returns do not fall in the Mets’ favor.

GettyPhiladelphia Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber hits a three-run home run against the Coloirado Rockies on May 09, 2026.

Polanco Signing Hurts Team From Multiple Angles

In signing Polanco to a deal that will pay him $20 million each of the next two seasons, New York tied itself to a positionless player that doesn’t really possess an elite trait, as both Alonso and Schwarber do.

Jorge Polanco’s wrist is fine, according to Carlos Mendoza, but he had a flare up with the Achilles bursitis that has been an issue since the opening weekend and that is keeping him on the IL.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) May 10, 2026

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Instead, they signed a player who is normally a middle infielder by trade with two 25-plus home run seasons and no 100-RBI campaigns to his credit. In essence, Polanco is a double machine that can turn on an occasional pitch. However, he isn’t the type of batter that can change the game with one swing.

In 7 full seasons with the Mets, Pete Alonso missed a total of 24 games

In his first month and a half with the Mets, Jorge Polanco has missed 26 games pic.twitter.com/vlFJAmdLk9

— Amazin’ Army (@WE_ARE_MET_FANS) May 11, 2026

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Stearns’ Farm System and Player Development Must Address the First Base Power Issue

Polanco currently sits on the injured list with multiple injuries. Schwarber, in his last five games, is hitting .363 with five home runs and eight runs batted in. As a result, Stearns will need to make a decision on first base.

Ryan Clifford LAUNCHES his 7th home run of the year for Triple-A Syracuse 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DkZ2XQPP7P

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 10, 2026

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Does he stick with the combination of Vientos and Brett Baty, or does he attempt to procure a power bat prospect when the inevitable pitching fire sale occurs? In the minors, first base prospect Ryan Clifford attempts to make the jump, but he needs to hit every pitch consistently and not just mash fastballs.

GettyNew York Mets Minor League 1B/OF Ryan Clifford.