CLEARWATER, Fla. – Shortly after the Phillies re-signed Kyle Schwarber in December, a team official was asked what Plan B was if the slugger had taken his talents elsewhere.

“There was none,” the official said. “We weren’t letting him get away.”

Pete Alonso, who would have made a lot of sense if the Phillies needed a Plan B for a slugging designated hitter, has no trouble believing that.

“There was a little bit of dialogue, very, very early, more of a ‘Hey, how you doing?’ type of thing,” said Alonso, who was also a free agent this winter. “But they were like, ‘All our eggs are with Schwarbs.’

“And they should have been. Kyle means a lot to that franchise and that clubhouse and I’m really happy for him because he’s in the right spot. He just fits really well with that group and that clubhouse. The Phillies got a good one in Schwarbs.”

Schwarber was pursued by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles. He returned to the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal. Twenty-four hours later, the Orioles signed Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract. He will play first base for the O’s and bring a slugging bat to their lineup, just like he did for seven seasons with the New York Mets.

Alonso visited Clearwater with his new team Friday. He had a pair of singles against Phillies prospect Andrew Painter. He was booed like a Met. Phillies fans remember those 18 home runs and 62 RBIs he produced against their team in 104 games with the Mets.

“I love playing in Philly,” Alonso said. “The Bank is a fun place to hit. The ball flies. The fans are rowdy. They bring a lot of energy. And the Phillies always have a great team. They’re super talented. You’ve got to bring it when you play them.”

Alonso hit a majors-leading 53 homers as a rookie with the Mets in 2019, Zack Wheeler’s last season with that club. The Mets made little attempt to retain Wheeler when he became a free agent and signed with the Phillies before the 2020 season. Alonso can empathize. He averaged 41 homers and 113 RBIs in his six full seasons (minus the 2020 COVID season) with the Mets, and never played in less than 152 games in a full season. Despite this, the Mets were reluctant to give Alonso more than a three-year contract this winter. He turned 31 in December.

If Alonso’s time in Baltimore is as successful as Wheeler’s has been in Philadelphia, the Orioles will have made a good signing.

“I can’t think of Wheels as anything else other than a Phillie,” Alonso said. “Just like Schwarbs. As soon as he came over, it’s like, this is the best place for him, not just contractually, but the fit is right. He’s unlocked his true potential with the Phillies. He’s a top contender for the Cy Young every year. He’s been an absolute stud.

“As a player, I knew he was nasty because facing him in live at-bats in spring was never fun. I’m happy for him and his family. This is the best version of himself. They’ve been able to get the most out of him.”

Alonso also had high praise for Cristopher Sanchez, who has blossomed into an ace the last couple of seasons.

“The first time I faced him was in ’22,” Alonso said. “Obviously, him throwing harder makes his off-speed stuff play better. The changeup is up there with the best.”

Starting pitching is a Phillies strength. The club led the majors with 84 quality starts last season. The starting staff’s 3.53 ERA was second-best in the majors. As a frequent opponent during his time in New York, Alonso believes catcher J.T. Realmuto has a lot to do with that.

“If you look at what he means to the pitching staff, he’s really an unbelievable asset to have,” Alonso said. “He’s managing games. He posts every day. His 145 games as a catcher are like a position player’s 190 games. What he does is incredible, how he manages the staff. Not just pitch-calling and game management, but he’s won Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves. He’s the whole package, everything you want in a catcher.”

Alonso said he will miss the 13 meetings per year against the Phillies in the National League East, but he’s eager to feel the intensity of the American League East.

“I’m stoked for where I’m at,” he said.

That’s Baltimore.

But if the Phillies hadn’t been able to re-up Kyle Schwarber — who knows? Pete Alonso would have been a good Plan B, even if the Phillies never really had one.