This offseason feels a little different, with a good number of big names expected to hit free agency. Guys like Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, and Kyle Schwarber are all set to hit free agency… Thus making this offseason a lot more exciting and decorated. And guess what, it’s coming at a time when several clubs are dealing with some harsh blows. For instance, the Blue Jays potentially losing Bo Bichette, or the Yankees facing the possibility of Cody Bellinger walking.

For the Yankees, though, it’s deja vu after losing Juan Soto last year, and now Bellinger could be next. And as NJ.com’s Randy Miller noted, “Bellinger could get $180 million for six years, maybe more than $200 million for seven.” Still, there’s no indication that the Yankees are ready to spend that kind of money, but it might be pushing them to look elsewhere among the top power hitters available!

“Kyle Schwarber has recently been linked to the Yankees by Jesse Rogers of ESPN,” Fireside Yankees reported. “He could also balance out the Yankees’ lineup if Cody Bellinger walks. Can you imagine his home run totals with the short porch at Yankee Stadium?” Rogers said.

Now, this is something that could cool off Yankees fans about the potential heartbreak with Bellinger.

It’s well known that Schwarber loves to swing for the fences, and with that short right field in Yankee Stadium, he could have a field day launching home runs. Just take a look at his 2025 numbers, which would make teams open their checkbooks, even at 33.

Notably, Schwarber put together an incredible season, giving two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani some serious competition for MVP honors. He hit .240/.365/.563 with an NL-leading 56 HRs and an MLB-best 132 RBIs, smashing his previous career highs of 47 homers and 104 RBIs. So, any team would love to splash for that kind of stats!!!

Now, imagine a Yankees lineup featuring Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, and Giancarlo Stanton… While this sounds irresistible, it also comes with a few hiccups! For instance, Schwarber plays as DH for the Phillies, and in the Yankees, Stanton already occupies the DH spot. So, where does Schwarber fit in with the New York Yankees?

Could Schwarber handle first base in New York? If he’s open to it, the Yankees might find it much easier to justify paying him $145 million, as projected by The Athletic’s Tim Britton, rather than shelling out over $200 million for Bellinger!

Are the Yankees getting the right alternative to Bellinger?

Well, if you’re looking strictly at offensive numbers, it’s hard to top Kyle Schwarber. His 56 HRs this season blow past Bellinger’s 29. But that’s pretty much where Schwarber’s edge ends. Why?

When it comes to versatility, Bellinger is on another level. This year, he hit .272 compared to Schwarber’s .240, and defensively, he’s been everywhere for the Yankees this year, practically every position except catcher. Schwarber, on the other hand, isn’t known for that kind of flexibility, and it’s doubtful the Yankees would even expect it from him!

And there’s more….

Defensively, the gap widens even more. Reportedly, Bellinger posted +7 Outs Above Average across the outfield in 2025 and even reached +9 OAA in right field a couple of years ago. Schwarber, meanwhile, has consistently struggled in the field. He is ranked near the bottom of MLB with -8 OAA in center field in a past season!

So, while adding Schwarber would undeniably boost the Yankees’ offense, calling him a true replacement for Bellinger might be stretching it. Bellinger’s overall value goes well beyond his home run total.