Will Kyle Schwarber Sign with Reds? Latest MLB Free Agency Rumors on Phillies Star
There is reportedly mutual interest between the Cincinnati Reds and free-agent slugger Kyle Schwarber.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Reds are "serious" about signing Schwarber, and Schwarber is "interested in a possible homecoming." Schwarber is from Middletown, Ohio, which is just a 45-minute drive from the Queen City.
However, Rosenthal noted that the Philadelphia Phillies will "almost certainly" offer more money in an effort to retain Schwarber, meaning factors other than finances will have to come into play in order for Schwarber to choose the Reds.
Schwarber, 32, has spent the past four seasons in Philly following stints with the Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox.
While Schwarber won a World Series with the Cubs, earned his first All-Star selection in 2021 and had 30 or more home runs in three of five seasons from 2017 to 2021, his best individual seasons have undoubtedly come with the Phillies.
Over his four seasons in Philadelphia, Schwarber slashed just .226/.349/.507, but he averaged nearly 47 home runs, 109 RBI and 107 runs scored per year.
Schwarber never had fewer than 38 homers or 94 RBI in a season with the Phillies, and he reached the 40-home-run mark in three of four seasons.
Last season was Schwarber's best by far, as he slashed .240/.365/.563 with a career-high 56 home runs, 132 RBI and 111 runs. Schwarber led the National League in both homers and RBI, and he finished second in the NL MVP voting behind only Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
On top of that, the lefty power hitter has often come up big in the playoffs over the years with 23 home runs and 37 RBI in 73 postseason games. His 23 career playoff homers are tied for third on the all-time list.
The Phillies made the playoffs in each of Schwarber's four seasons, reaching the World Series once. Staying in Philadelphia would likely mean the opportunity to continue contending for a championship.
That would be far less certain in Cincinnati, although the Reds did sneak into the playoffs last season as a wild-card team with an 83-79 record.
It marked the Reds' first playoff appearance since 2020, and only their second since the end of the 2013 campaign. Cincinnati has not won a playoff game since 2012.
However, the Reds have a highly regarded manager in two-time World Series winner Terry Francona, and no shortage of young talent, led by ace pitcher Hunter Greene, and position players Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer and Noelvi Marte.
Despite their talent, no Reds player hit more than 22 home runs last season, meaning Schwarber would fill a huge power void in the lineup.
Going from an established team like the Phillies to a potential up-and-comer like the Reds would include some risk, but if Schwarber wants to be the unquestioned anchor of a lineup, Cincinnati can offer him that opportunity.
