Now that the Philadelphia Phillies' season is over, the team is tied to quite a few interesting free agents.

Since a couple of Philadelphia's top players are exploring the free agency market, there are a few interesting scenarios to explore, one of which involves star first baseman Bryce Harper.

The most interesting scenario, and likely the most hated scenario by Phillies fans, is the addition of New York Mets star slugger Pete Alonso. 

Alonso's contract with the Mets has run its course, and the 30 year old is expected to test the free agency market for a long-term deal, with Philadelphia being one of the top options. 

In 2025, the Tampa, Florida, native played in all 162 games, notching 38 homes runs along with a .272 batting average, the highest end-of-season percentage in his career. Adding to his list of career highs from this past season, the right-handed slugger tallied 170 hits and led the league in doubles at one point in the season with 41. Additionally, Alonso brought in 126 RBIs, just five away from tying his career most.

Bringing in Alonso would provide yet another power bat to the Phillies lineup, but causes an issue in terms of defensive positioning. Both Harper and Alonso are top first basemen in the league, but who would play the position in 2026?

Both can be slotted into the lineup as the designated hitter, which would make the most sense if National League MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber decides to sign with another team in the offseason. In fact, you could end up starting both players if this scenario becomes real. 

If Schwarber resigns with Philadelphia and the front office still manages to work out a suitable contract to bring in Alonso, it still begs the question as to where you would put Harper in the field in terms of defensive positioning. 

One option is moving Harper back to his bread and butter position out in right field, leaving the first base spot open for Alonso to take. If the Phillies can spend enough money before the Players Association meeting to decide a potential salary cap in the offseason between the 2026 and 2027 seasons, featuring a lineup with Schwarber, Harper, Turner, Realmuto, Alonso, etc... would create a lineup that rivals the current star-studded roster of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, it's unlikely that Phillies owner John Middleton and general manager Dave Dombrowski opt to spend that much money, with Schwarber projected to seek a contract worth $30 million or more a year over 3-5 years. Knowing that, it's hard to make a roster that features both him and Alonso feel realistic.

With Harper being named as a National League Gold Glove finalist at first base for the 2025 season, it makes it even more difficult to rationalize bringing Alonso in for anything other than to be the designated hitter, but the option of moving the Philadelphia star around the lineup poses many interesting possibilities for the Phillies to explore in the offseason.