Chicago Cubs: Three potential landing spots for Kyle Schwarber
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.
New York Yankees
As soon as Kyle Schwarber received his non-tender news on Wednesday, the New York press immediately began exploring options to bring the young left-handed hitter to the New York Yankees.
This is not unusual, of course. New York is the league’s best free-agent destination and the Yankees are not shy about spending in free agency.
In recent years the Yankees have been in an interesting position. Although this team is in no need of hitting, New York possesses a lineup laden with right-handed bats. Schwarber, a lefty, could easily take advantage of the short porch in Yankee Stadium’s right field.
If the Chicago Cubs were to tender Schwarber, his worth projected at around $8 million. After the non-tender, it’s unlikely for the 27-year-old to earn more than this.
The Yankees could afford a short-term contract at less than $8 million. But, taking money out of the equation, the Yankees roster would need some reworking to make room for Schwarber.
Giancarlo Stanton is the Yankees mainstay at DH. He’s not going anywhere. Schwarber would have to play a defensive position, either in left field or at first base. With Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge locked in at center field and right field, this leaves only one outfield spot. Schwarber could start in left field before using Brett Gardner or Mike Tauchman as late-game defensive substitutions.
The issue? This leaves the ultra-talented prospect, Clint Frazier, without a spot. New York highly values Frazier’s future, so this option seems less likely.
New York could also explore moving Schwarber to first base. Would the Yankees be willing to explore Luke Voit’s trade value, after leading the AL in home runs last year, to add additional starting pitching? Schwarber slots into first, which flips the first base bat to left-handed, and offers similarly-capable defense at the position.
Cincinnati Reds
Last year, the Cincinnati Reds crawled into the expanded postseason on the backs of elite pitching, mostly led by star Trevor Bauer. The Reds finished first in the NL in strikeouts with 615 and third in team ERA (3.89). As a result, Cincinnati finished 31-29, earning a Wild Card spot and the seventh seed in the NL bracket.
The only thing holding the Reds back in 2020 was a dismal performance at the plate. Cincinnati ranked second-to-last in the NL with 4.05 runs scored per game. The team’s .212 batting average ranked dead last in all of baseball.
Bringing on Kyle Schwarber would be a good start to turning around the Reds offense. Despite the Reds’ offensive struggles, Great American Ball Park is considered a hitter-friendly park. In 2020, the Reds still ranked seventh in the MLB in team home runs.
Last season, Schwarber hit 11 home runs in 59 games, in what was considered a down year at the plate. His power bat would surely play well at Great American Ball Park.
One factor that may delay the Reds going after a big bat like Schwarber’s is the lack of clarity on the DH rule. The league’s front office has yet to make any formal decision or offer any insight, into using the DH with NL teams moving forward. As we continue to wait for a concrete decision, this puts the 15 NL teams at a serious disadvantage this offseason.
Heading into the offseason, the Reds offered star pitcher Bauer a qualifying offer. Although Bauer rejected the offer, there’s still potential for the Reds to bring him back for a max contract. Offering Bauer a max contract limits the Reds’ spending abilities, however, reunites one of the best pitching staffs in baseball.
Next. Free agent pitching options for Cubs. dark
If Cincinnati can reestablish its rotation by bringing Bauer back, and then adds one or two quality bats like Schwarber, this makes for a dangerous team in 2021.