Check out three potential free agency destinations for the Chicago Cubs slugger.
The Chicago Cubs were busy yesterday, which marked the non-tender deadline on the league’s calendar. With a lot of decisions about the club’s future, especially among the leftovers from Chicago’s 2016 World Series run, the Cubs decided to tender contracts with Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Willson Contreras.
Perhaps the most surprising news of the day was Chicago choosing to non-tender Kyle Schwarber, and releasing him as a free agent.
Schwarber spent six seasons with the Cubs, including a heroic 2016 postseason run. The 27-year-old hit .412 in five games as the Cubs’ DH in the World Series that year, ending the dreaded 108-year title drought that previously dated back to 1908.
.@thekapman looks back on Kyle Schwarber's six seasons with the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/rbdxmsGewn
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) December 3, 2020
The primary left fielder was in his final year of arbitration this year, however, after a few up-and-down seasons the Chicago Cubs decided to non-tender Schwarber with the potential to bring him back for a cheaper contract.
In six seasons, Schwarber hit 121 home runs and 279 RBIs with a hitting line of .230/.336/.480. Check out three potential landing spots for this young slugger, who surely adds an HR-threat to any MLB lineup.
Chicago Cubs
It’s easy to consider the news of Schwarber’s non-tender as pandemic fallout. Following last year’s 60-game shortened season, there were a number of clubs and owners vocal about the loss of profits and potential tightening of budgets this offseason.
Cincinnati Reds reliever Archie Bradley, Atlanta Braves outfielder Adam Duvall, and Colorado Rockies outfielder David Dahl were also non-tendered ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.
In other years, these talented players would likely have been offered arbitration and the opportunity to return to their clubs.
Nonetheless, the Cubs have not ruled out bringing Schwarber back next year for cheaper. This is the most obvious landing spot for the young slugger.
After an outstanding 2016 World Series run, Schwarber holds a special place in Chicago’s postseason/historic lore.
“We’ll definitely keep the door open,” said Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. “We’ll continue to talk about ways to bring him back…. He’s a Cubs legend. No question about that.”
Of course, this decision came down to the money. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reported that the Chicago Cubs reportedly lost between $125 million and $140 million in 2020 due to the lack of a full-season without fan attendance.
Schwarber is too good of a hitter, with too much history in Chicago, for the Cubs not to consider bringing him back.