Jun 11, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports Paul Rutherford
If it's not the Phillies, Kyle Schwarber could end up returning to one of his former employers in free agency this offseason.
The Chicago Cubs — the team Schwarber helped to snap a 108-year World Series drought in 2016 — have been heavily speculated upon as a landing spot for the slugger this offseason, particularly if the club doesn't meet Kyle Tucker's asking price.
Schwarber doesn't have nearly the same history with the Red Sox, but he did make a strong impression during the half season he spent in Boston in 2021. Strong enough that Chris Cotillo of Mass Live believes the Red Sox could try to circle back on Schwarber this offseason if given the opportunity:
"[Manager Alex] Cora has been clear about his admiration for Schwarber, who the Red Sox love, and if a quick reunion with the Phillies doesn’t come together, expect Boston to show some real interest there. Doing so might force the club to spend something close to $50 million — yes, you read that right — on its DH spot between a Schwarber average annual value around $30 million and Yoshida’s sunk cost at $18 million. That, however, is what big-market, win-now teams do. Alonso fits the club as a DH much better than he does as a first baseman, where his defense is more than suspect."
Schwarber hit .291 with a .957 OPS in 41 regular-season games with the Red Sox after a July 2021 trade from the Washington Nationals. He also hit three of his 23 career postseason home runs during 11 playoff games with Boston that fall.
The problem for the Red Sox at that time was their experiment with Schwarber at first base didn't go particularly well, and they didn't have an obvious other spot to put him at. Kiké Hernández, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Alex Verdugo were all under contract in the outfield for the 2022 season, while J.D. Martinez was entrenched at DH. In hindsight, the Red Sox should have made room for Schwarber at whatever cost, but they didn't and he instead departed in free agency to sign a four-year/$79 million deal with the Phillies that turned into one of the most team-friendly contracts in modern MLB history.
While acknowledging that "Philly is a perfect place for him," Cora was extremely complimentary of Schwarber when talking to Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation in July.
“The impact in the clubhouse, it was amazing,” Cora said. “I think he touched everybody here. Very similar to (Justin Turner). Guys that get it. They understand how to win games, how to impact young players, talk to veterans, deal with the coaching staff and also deal with everything that comes with the territory.”
The prevailing belief around baseball, at least as of last month, seemed to be that the Phillies would re-sign Schwarber, who clubbed 56 home runs in his contract year. But count the Red Sox, Cubs and hometown Cincinnati Reds as three teams that could offer alternative paths for Schwarber this offseason.
What would be interesting if Schwarber were to sign in Boston is that the Red Sox likely wouldn't retain third baseman Alex Bregman. The Phillies could then pivot to Bregman, who wouldn't cost draft-pick compensation to sign this offseason because he can't be saddled with a qualifying offer for a second time. Would losing Schwarber and signing Bregman make the Phillies better in 2026? That can be debated, though it certainly would qualify as shaking things up.
