Rumors: Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, others interested in Kyle Schwarber
Jon Heyman of MLB Network is reporting on Twitter that free agent outfielder Kyle Schwarber currently has a “huge market” with some teams like the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies showing interest. Some other teams, like the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies, and others are interested as well.
Schwarber, who turns 29 in March, spent the 2021 season between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox and was an All-Star for the first time in his career.
The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies are among teams interested in Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber’s market is starting to heat up and there are a lot of teams interested in him, including the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.
Schwarber only played in 113 games in 2021 due to injury but it was, arguably, the best season of his career. He hit 32 homers and had 71 RBI with a .266/.374/.554 slash line and an OPS+ of 148. For a 162-game season, that pace would be 46 homers and 102 RBI.
Schwarber will also get a little bit more interest from teams since he played some first base with the Red Sox and with the DH likely coming to the National League. Schwarber has never been viewed as a great defensive player so, for some teams, they may be interested in using him as a full-time DH.
For the Red Sox, Schwarber grew up a Boston fan and was with them for part of this past season so they are likely the favorites to get Schwarber. The Phillies have some good offensive pieces, like Bryce Harper, but they don’t have much for left field and Schwarber could be their DH if it comes to the NL. The Phillies are also looking to get to the postseason for the first time in a decade (2011) so they should spend some money this offseason.
The Marlins already added outfielder Avisaíl García to their roster with a reported four-year deal but they still have some big gaps in their offense and still could use Schwarber in left field. Surprising to non-Rockies fans, the Rockies offense was awful in 2021 and, frankly, it hasn’t been good in a while.
The Rockies need power bats and the most logical position to add it in is in the outfield. Their primary left fielder, Raimel Tapia, is the exact opposite of Schwarber at the plate in that he has speed but doesn’t walk much and has no power. Signing Schwarber would make Tapia expendable.
Next. Cubs, Giants, Mets, Red Sox interested in Marcus Stroman. dark
Schwarber was projected to get a four-year deal for $70 million by MLB Trade Rumors but with the way the offseason has panned out thus far and given Schwarber’s age, he may be able to get a five-year deal out of some team and perhaps, get to or come close to the $100 million range.