The Reds remain in the market for Kyle Schwarber, writes Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. That has been a frequent connection because Schwarber grew up a Reds fan not far outside Cincinnati. The club also needs to add an impact bat, though it remains to be seen if they’re willing to make a competitive offer.
Cincinnati finished 14th in MLB in scoring despite playing in one of the sport’s most hitter-friendly venues. They had a .245/.315/.391 slash line and finished 21st in home runs. Elly De La Cruz was the team leader with 22 homers, and their only two hitters who slugged at least .450 in more than 100 plate appearances (Miguel Andujar and Austin Hays) are free agents. The Reds need offense generally and would benefit from a power bat in particular.
Schwarber is the best slugger available. He’s coming off a 56-homer season in which he hit .240/.365/.563 while starting all 162 games for the Phillies. He hasn’t hit fewer than 30 homers in a full season since 2018 and is tied with Shohei Ohtani for second in MLB (behind Aaron Judge) in longballs over the last four years.
Cincinnati doesn’t have anyone locked into the everyday DH role. They’ll probably want to give 22-year-old Sal Stewart more time to see if he can be a serviceable defender at first base. Spencer Steer could play left field more frequently or simply be shopped in trade if the Reds were to add Schwarber (or Pete Alonso, a long speculated potential fit).
While it’s a clear fit from a roster perspective, it’d require an unusually bold commitment from ownership. Schwarber is expected to handily surpass a $100MM guarantee and could land $30MM+ annually. The Reds have given out two nine-figure contracts in franchise history: $225MM for Joey Votto and $105MM to Homer Bailey. Those were both extensions. Their largest free agent deals were the matching four-year, $64MM terms to Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas. Those $16MM average annual values were the most for any multi-year free agent signing. Schwarber might require twice that amount.
President of baseball operations Nick Krall said last month that the Reds expect to run a similar payroll to this past season’s level. They opened ’25 with a payroll around $116MM. They have around $40MM in guaranteed contracts but have a hefty arbitration class that MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects to cost roughly $45MM.
Filling out the roster with players making the league minimum would leave them with roughly $20-25MM to spend. They’ll certainly add a bat of some significance, but a Schwarber signing might require ownership to push the budget beyond where they seemingly prefer to set it. The other option would be to shed money from the arbitration class by shopping one or more of Brady Singer ($11.9MM projection), Tyler Stephenson ($6.4MM), Gavin Lux ($5MM), TJ Friedl ($4.9MM), Nick Lodolo ($4.3MM) or Steer ($4.5MM).
In a less obvious connection, Jon Morosi of The MLB Network relayed this morning that the Giants have also been in contact with Schwarber’s camp. That’s a much more difficult fit from a roster perspective. San Francisco has Rafael Devers under contract through 2033. Even if they’re confident he’ll be a capable everyday first baseman, they’d need at-bats at designated hitter for top first base prospect Bryce Eldridge. There’s an argument for the Giants to bring in a short-term first baseman/DH to give the 21-year-old Eldridge more time in Triple-A, but that wouldn’t apply to a four- or five-year contract for Schwarber.
The Giants presumably wouldn’t have any interest in using Schwarber as an everyday outfielder. There’d only be any kind of fit if they trade Eldridge for a starter. They’ve already downplayed their desire to make a nine-figure commitment to a starter despite calling pitching their top priority. It’d be a huge surprise if they committed that kind of money to a DH.
Schwarber rejected a qualifying offer, so whichever team signs him will forfeit draft compensation. Philadelphia has made no secret of their desire to bring him back. The Orioles and Red Sox are both in the market for an impact bat and have shown interest, while the Pirates have been mentioned as an extreme long shot after making an unsuccessful attempt to lure Josh Naylor away from Seattle.
Giants wouldn’t make a serious offer. Not a good fit.
I agree. Why would SF acquire Schwarber and then need to deal Eldridge? Long term setup is Chapman at 3B, Eldridge at 1B and Devers at DH. Or flip Eldridge and Devers. No reports that Eldridge is being considered for outfield.
He started out as an outfielder tbf, but I don’t think they’d move him back even though he has the arm
Started out as a catcher actually as well
He was never any threat to become a C. Absolutely never.
How about using Eldridge as the DH for the Catcher (Bailey) instead of the pitcher? 😂
Except for the 21 games he started as a catcher his rookie year. So absolutely ever
And if you ever saw any of those games you’d understand what I just said. Just like if you’ve ever seen any games Ballesteros has caught. They make Gary Sanchez look like Pudge Rodriguez.
And blowing out his knee the 2nd game of the year in 2016 against the D’Backs only made it more clear that he was never going to be a big League catcher. Although his base running is pretty good at least 2015 he was. His first ML hit was a triple just under 16 months later he would start the most famous extra innings rally in baseball history.
Ironically enough his first hit was also at Jacobs Field.
True Dat, not saying those were fun times. But on his LinkedIn page
As usual Uncle Mike has something insulting to say.
While I also agree, that’s also the league in a microcosm. The same teams overpay for the trendy (yet marginal) player just because they have to have them, & then the good teams swoop in to take last year’s trendy & now undervalued player off their hands for pennies on the dollar.
The likelihood Schwarber provides excess value over his impending gargantuan contract is relatively low.
If Hoyer really believes that the Cubs need a LH power bat to make the Cubs a contender he should absolutely bring back Schwarber. There is no better LH power bat in baseball. He traded away a bunch of talent for 1 year of Tucker. Schwarber only costs money. This makes too much sense so it probably won’t happen. Schwarber would cost less years, less money and prove a better power bat. Then they could move Ballesteros and maybe even Caissie for pitching and I’d be on board with that. Like I said it makes too much sense so no way.
I don’t think Eldridge is anywhere close to ready, but even if he was successful out of the gate, having Devers, Schwarber & Eldridge at the top of the lineup is begging to see a LH opener and/or a lefty RP at some point.
JoeBrady: If Eldridge doesn’t get traded and I honestly think he won’t be, I feel the way you do about him not being ready. What I’ll add to that is I think he will get a good long look in ST. At that point we can see where he stands. Wouldn’t be surprised at him getting the most AB on the team this spring. It would really be tough to trade him because if he pans out he’ll be in SF for many years to come.
They need starting pitching and aren’t paying cash for it. Their infield is all but set longish term with Devers at 1B. I dont think they are going to stuff him around there. There’s been issues before with that. Trading Eldridge makes perfect sense.
foppert:A trade would be tempting for a frontline starter but Eldridge could have a real shot at a nice 15+ year Giant’s career because he’s so young. Tough call depending on which SP would be coming in return. Depending on who the pitcher is we might need to send another player out with Eldridge. I would also like to see whoever the pitcher is to be here for 3 years or so.I guess we’ll know when we know.
Would fit fine if Eldridge and Ramos were traded for Joe Ryan..
Twins should jump at that
Hell no they shouldn’t. They can do better than that for 2 years of one of the better SP’s in baseball. Eldridge is a 1B only and was just good not great in the minors last year (and awful in a brief MLB cameo). I’d suggest that the Giants may be toying with the idea of trading Eldridge before he has no value at all. 1B tend to have very little.
You’re joking right? Eldridge smashed the ball. The 95.6 mph average exit velocity is well above typical MLB average EV, and the 109.7 mph max EV shows real power potential when he squared-up the ball. His hard-hit rate near 69% and barrel rate of 25% indicate that when he made contact, it was often loud — strong indicator of “pop” and raw power — despite his small sample size. He needs to work on his strike outs for sure but this kid has big value. Just don’t agree with your opinion
@Balk Great data with the average EV and Hardhit%, but the max EV isn’t telling the story you’re intending. If Eldridge qualified (251 batters) that max EV would have placed him in only the 25th percentile among names like Ke’Bryan Hayes and Brendan Donovan. Probably just a small sample, but something to keep an eye on.
I agree WCSox…my point was Eldridge is far from having “no value” as seamoholic stated, in fact he has a very high ceiling imho
Schwarber fits every team expect the dodgers and prob the Yankees.
If the giants could sign him they should. They can trade both Eldridge and Ramos to fill other holes. Though I think players like bellinger and tucker are better fits on the higher end of the market. Though if they traded Eldridge I’d move him for a position player. The position player market outside of a few top level guys is pretty weak. Plenty of mid level pitchers in this market.
Giants really need two outfielders, two starters and two relievers.
He swings hard, but his K-rate in AAA was 209/600 ABs. In the pros, that’s maybe 220+. I don’t think that’s going to get a premium return.
A lot of Spencer Jones vibes
I don’t disagree with the k rate, but this kid is very young and has connected on some big flys. A lot of people had the same doubts about Judge and his swing path, (not saying he’s a Judge) but this kid can go either way, but with his small sample size and composure in his few trips to the plate in the show for as young as he is, has nothing but impressed me.
He is 21.
They don’t really need 2 outfielders. Maybe one. It’s not like they are rolling out Jason Heyward and Connor Joe. Ramos is a below average defender. Sure. But he gets the routine done and has shown good potential at the plate. Just won’t save you runs. He is only 26. It’s not an area of necessity. The Giants aren’t in superteam aspiration territory.
Idk, Ramos is really bad in the outfield. In my eyes they need two outfielders, two starters and two back end pen arms. Sucks bad that Rodriguez went down.
Doesn’t have to be super team mode but need avg or better in those 6 slots if you ask me.
Does the routine and I’m good. Worst outfielder in the business doesn’t concern me. Someone has to be in that spot. Much rather they invest time and resources into pitching and give him an opportunity to get better.
Apparently he is aware and onto it.
Starters and relievers for sure. They won’t buy a closer though. Buster has already indicated that he prefers a spring training comp for that job.
There isn’t a lot left out there in the close market. Perhaps they bring back Roger’s. I’d think Fairbanks would still be a fit or even a Jansen type who will get far less money. Either way they need pen help.
Not sure what happened to Walker, year before last he looked near unhittable. Perhaps he
Will regain his 2024 form.
My gut says Ramos will not be the starting LF.
Seamaholic: He will improve defensively over the next couple years and a cameo is just what it was. And the Giants would probably add another player with Eldridge.
Mets DH
Just do it cincy
Kyle is from Ohio…
Half an hour from GABP..
Kyle is from Waltham
Route 128? By the Stah market or the Dunkin Donuts? And can you get to Nashua from there?
@kyredsox17: Or ‘Walt Ham’ as Kyle calls it. 2021 was a fun year
Cincy is in Ohio?.. or am I missing a joke
Red Sock inside joke. Ho ho ho
Still missing like 4 teams in current discussions with Casey Close on this one.
Just imagine Schwarber playing 81 games in Cincinnati. He may get close to 70hrs.
That would be fun but him in Camden yards for 81 would be even cooler
Let him bat leadoff with a couple pure hitters like McLain and lux in front of him then Elly and Stewart behind him. Some of those young bats progress and reds contend for the central
McLain and Lux are “pure hitters”? Um, ok.
Found that funny as well. I do think that a big talent in the middle of a lineup makes the rest of the hitters better. No data to back it up and maybe it’s just that the rest of the young guys were going to progress to hit better anyway. Look at the cubs this year. On paper their young offensive core was no better than the reds but they stuck Tucker in the middle and the rest hit better than expected.
Big whiffa: Um, the leadoff hitter has nobody in front of him. That’s what batting leadoff means.
… for 1 AB a game
earmbrister: Any inning in which the no. 1 hitter leads off. And no manager is batting McLain ninth.
Alfred: no manager is batting McLain ninth?
How about the current Reds manager, Terry Francona, who batted McLean ninth and about 1/3 of the games this year.
Baseball Reference is there for anyone to utilize … or you can just continue to talk out of your backside.
McLain, darn autocorrect
McLain batted ninth on several occasions last year
Yes, several as in about 50 games, despite Alfred’s assertion.
The only reason McLain won’t be the 9th batter is because K Hayes will start 3rd base. Best case scenario right now is:
1. Friedl CF
2. Marte RF
3. EDLC SS
4. Schwarber DH
5. Steer LF
6. Stewart 1B
7. Stevenson catcher
8. McLain 2nd base
9. Hayes 3rd
I still think McLain is better than he was last year but not as good as 2023 and a good defender. However if he has an April and May in 2026 like 2025 then he becomes a platoon with Lux at 2nd and backup EDLC who needs more days off at short. Or Stewart maybe becomes the everyday second baseman and we can let schwarber play first on days EDLC takes a break from the field and DH.
The above would be a very good team combined with our pitching. Might not get by the dodgers but wouldn’t have to play them first round because we would likely win the central.
McLain batted in the ninth spot in 51 games, while Hayes batted ninth in 16 games. And it wasn’t a function of Hayes being acquired at the trade deadline. The Reds played 25 games in September with McLain batting ninth in 22 of those games and Hayes batting ninth in 3 games. McLain started the season batting near the top of the order, but once he was dropped down, he became firmly entrenched in the ninth spot.
It’s De La Cruz..
What does Atlanta Brave Bryan De La Cruz have to do with this discussion?
Actually, Philadelphia Phillie Bryan De La Cruz.
Holy crap you still got it wrong the second time, too
Maybe not but Schwarber would get De la Cruz batting in front of him better pitchers and steer batting behind him better pitchers. Going into 2025 I thought the cubs like the reds had a lot of good young hitters with potential. The difference was the cubs put Tucker in the middle of the order and it made all the young offensive players better. The reds would see the same outcome with Schwarber in the middle of their lineup.
There’s no data that supports the notion of “protection”. It’s something we grew up hearing about but it’s not really a thing.
Data difficult to decipher doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist….
Sounds like his agent is talking to all the right media sources to try to get Phillies to increase their offer. I hope they say see ya Kyle good luck in Ohio.
Hopefully his agent isn’t that bad.
He’ll end up going back to the Phillies. He’s too big a presence in their lineup to lose.
I’m a Phillies fan and while I’m certain the owner and Dombrowski will sign him to fill seats, I’d rather fix the outfield problem that has nagged us for years. Give me Bellinger, Bader or Hays, Crawford, JT and a few bullpen arms.
He’s not filling any seats. He already helped fill them but would take a big new shiny toy to fill anymore or a championship. Now he could cost them seats if they don’t replace his production and they fail to make playoffs.
Respectfully disagree. People love home runs and even I got jeeped last season when he came to the plate. You see a lot of Schwarber jerseys too. I agree that championships will make a big difference, and our current construct has produced zero.
Therealeman: Why would anyone “jeep” you and what does that even mean? You drive a Cherokee?
Just not how it works. Phillies attendance stayed the same last 2 seasons and will do so next season with or without Schwarber. If they only win 73 games say the attendance will go down with or without Schwarber unless the have a big off season. Winning or the idea of winning creates more attendance.
Now if Pirates signed Schwarber attendance would go up hundreds of thousands just by signing him. If they have a winning record attendance will go up another hundreds of thousands. Make playoffs again hundreds of thousands. There attendance in 2025 was 1.5m so they have at least a million in possible growth. Philly has 300 400k max so to go from 3.3 3.4 to 3.7 would take something special new and exciting. Schwarber for Pittsburgh would be new and exciting.
As a reds fan who grew up in central Kentucky (close) but not a direct Cincinnati native I really don’t know that Schwarber being local would necessarily generate more attendance. What would generate more attendance is being a division winner and World Series contender which schwarber would make us.
We arguably have the best starting pitching in MLB, an above average bullpen, an electric young talent in EDLC, an above average leadoff hitter with a league top 10 OBP and several guys with 20 home run pop potential that bat right (steer, Stewart, Marte, Stevenson). What the reds lack is left handed power and Schwarber is the best free agent at strictly that in 20 years.
I am 57 and date back to the mid 70’s before free agency. The reds never had a bigger need and a free agent available to fill that as exact need as Schwarber now. Not sure that is not the case in history for any smaller market club on the verge of contention.
I’m a Phillies fan and I’d be fine if you guys got him.
contract will age like milk
Maybe.. maybe not, I didn’t think the had what he did last year in him
Contract will age like Jim Thome which aged quite well. Not saying Schwarber is as good as Thome but Thome as strictly a DH was as productive at 37 as he was at 34.
Gee, does this mean the Pirates are out?
(Yes. I’m joking. They were never really in)
Nah. He’s just giving the Reds and Phillies a shot to beat their offer.
(They never made an offer)
Source pirates were willing to offer Schwarber more $ than they ever offered to any free agent. Cherington said “we would loved to have him, any team would. We just couldn’t cross the finish line in getting something done. We’ll keep our options open but our plan is to fill our needs internally. “
Pirates can get him for less than anyone else and really need the pr marketing so they should be all in on him at least push Philly towards 200m and get their names all over the sports world.
Nutting extended Williams Cherington Shelton so he’s way too stupid to sign Schwarber is my guess.
Schwarber’s strongly considering Pittsburgh. He’ll need to stop somewhere for lunch on the drive to Cincy.
Reds would be better off going after Alonso than Schwarber, Alonso will be cheaper, younger, and can play 1B
Giants would be better going after a player that can get on base and has some clutch tendencies than a power hitter who has low bat avg in a park not fitting to their style. Schwarber does not fit with them.
Schwarber will resign with Phillies – anything else would be a shock.
Datashark- Have you ever watched Alonso play 1st? Might as well put an Easter Island head out there.
Reds would be better off signing Ryan ohearn than Alonzo if they can’t sign Schwarber. Ohearn would be cheaper, fewer years and the reds desperately need left handed power. Ohearn wouldn’t be a big boost but would improve them on an 84 win season. Schwarber would move us into division winners World Series contention. Ohearn a better than average hitter with power but won’t necessarily make others better. Schwarber has the type of power that if in the middle of a lineup pitchers always aware and thinking about it and make mistakes to the other batters.
Phillies 5 years 150M with 25m deferred.
Those terms seem realistic for the current market. Reds might commit quicker for local boy comes home PR if Philly is waiting on OF market to see if they can get Tucker (or plan B Bellinger).
I don’t see them committing 9-10 years to a guy this off-season other than maybe Bo Bichette and that would be predicated on them making a trade for an OF. I think they only go after a Bellinger if Schwarber is off the board.
I really think the reds need Schwarber but would have a hard time matching that. I don’t like deferred money. If the reds could get him for $27 million a year 5 years straight up then that is probably the most they should do. Or even $30 million a year for 4 would be better but I can’t see $30 million for 5 even if $25 is deferred. We always get in trouble deferred money as do other small market teams. The goal would be to contend every year not all in on one big push.
I just can’t see Castellini ever opening the wallet to bring in a Schwarber or an Alonso. Maybe Tito sneaking the Reds into the playoffs has changed the way of thinking in Cincy
I can’t see him passing out those silver certificates either.
May he pleasantly surprise me. The thud you hear when they would announce it would be me and my coronary.
There’s really no reason Cincinnati would not or could not give Schwarber his desired contract. Between en Griffey, Jr. and Joey Votto plus a few other guys, they have a history of paying close-ish to market value to local / home grown heroes.
Schwarber would fit that mold to a T and they could probably get him to give up dollars per year for extra years on the deal.
Like, if Schwarber was gonna get 4 years/$130M to 5 years/$160M from some other club, he might be amenable to 5 years/$140M or 6 years/$153M with Cincy, which would be well below market AAV, but in range of the totals projected for him.
While I hear you, and agree in principal,
5/140 is hard to accept over 5/160.
The heart wants what it wants, but the good you could do with an extra 20 mil towards whatever you think is a noble cause is very hard to turn down.
I certainly think Reds getting Schwarber would be good for baseball. Anything to spread out talent, and get more known names in more cities.
Who knows- maybe the Reds are prepared to pay full market value and Schwarber wouldn’t need to take a discount to play on their team over another.
If the market for him is established to be $30M+ AAV and the Reds really want him badly enough, they’ll go there.
Seems odd, but agreed Cincy may value his offense more than Philly at least in early stage of FA period. The latter likely wants Tucker or Bellinger or Bregman in that order as its top spend this offseason.
Pirates or bust
Phillies need to move on and chnage the club. They need more contact hitters and less power.
Arraez at DH/2b/1b
Harper in RF/1b/DH
Alonso at 1b/DH
All three can play 1b all three can rotate at DH.
I’d then go after Bregman to play 3rd.
Trade for Marte of/2b option
More balanced lineup with good power but better contact. An Arraez and Turner top of the lineup gives a Bregman, Harper and Alonzo heart of the order more of a chance. More options and not so one dimensional.
So many times the Phillies left runners on base in scoring position with guys trying to hit a homer but all they needed was a base hit.
I’d then go after bolstering the bullpen.
If you trade for Marte, ask for Justin Martinez. Try to trade for Dennis Santana from the Pirates, and maybe sign Dominguez. The three of them with Duran give you 6th through 9th inning options.
Trade for JoJo Romero and Ivan Herrera.
Resign Realmuto.
Say goodbye to Bohm, use Crawford and Painter as bait.
Time to retool since each post season since 2022 has been a steady decline.
No doubt Schwarber or Alonso would improve Cincy’s power output thats sorely needed. But add up the lack of speed, defense and excessive strikeouts both will bring. Not to mention draining any cash leftover to address other needs such as bullpen and left field. I still think we can trade a starting pitcher and bring in a left fielder that’s younger with power and use the money mentioned earlier to address other needs.
Who though, I’d love this to happen I just don’t see a lot out there that could realistically happen.
Stowers from Miami or the A’s left fielder who’s name escapes me at the present
I’d love soderstrom but it seems unlikely they move him, that would be perfect and I’d be down to give them basically whatever they wanted lol. Realistically though they’ll probably take a chance on bleday and maybe sign O’Hearn, pick up some cheap bullpen pieces and call it an offseason.
On the bullpen….we also need left handed arms there. I think only one left handed relief pitcher on the 40 man roster. We have 3 better than average left handed starting pitchers of which 2 are really good. Remember Brandon Williamson? His rookie year he had an era low 4’s and arguably our best starter that year with injuries to Greene & Lodolo. He is coming off Tommy John and could be transitioned to a bullpen arm. Even Lodolo could go to the pen as he did in our short lived playoff series although I would rather him get more innings as a starter. We could sign a 3rd pen lefty on a minor league deal and use our remaining 40 man spot and budget on a left handed bat.
We have 7 starting pitchers that most any combination of which makes us a top 5 rotation in MLB as long as Greene and lodolo or Abbott are one & two. 1. Greene, 2. Lodolo, 3. Singer, 4. Abbott, 5. Burns, 6. Williamson, 7. Lowder. I put them in order alternating between right and left (green out best right, lodolo our best left etc) and experience (burns will likely be better than singer but might take another year). Take any one of those lefties out and move to the pen and doesn’t move us of a top 5 starting rotation in MLB. Having Abbott as 2nd starter and Williamson 4th doesn’t move the needle back that much and having Williamson in the pen and leaving lodolo in the rotation changes moves it none. I would rather do that than trade one for a bullpen haul.
1. We don’t have a lot of needs other than another left handed bull pen arm now that we have signed our closer.
2. Steer would move to left field if schwarber is signed
3. We have enough speed with EDLC, Friedl, Marte, McLain, steer all above average.
4. The reds as a team on the verge of being good biggest need is left handed power bat and Schwarber is the best available free agent in that regard the past 20 years.
I have been around since the beginning of the free agent era and never have the reds had a need for something particular and that match of a free agent as Schwarber is for that need right now. Just hope his agent doesn’t read this.
I understand the small market no money as I have been a fan from nipperts to castellinis but if the reds have to go to a $125 to $130 million payroll to get schwarber they need to do it. Any more than $130 and I understand. We have one roster spot left and that is how it needs to be filled. If not and we stay at $115 million payroll it’s Ryan ohearn but that would be the difference in squeeking into the playoffs again and exiting first round with ohearn and winning the division and having a shot against the dodgers in the NLCS with Schwarber.
I agree with most of this, I am genuinely curious why everyone says we need a left handed bat specifically. Iirc the reds were worse against lefties than righties unless that was just for average and on base. Wasn’t that the whole point of getting andujar..
They had some players last year with reverse splits that probably won’t be that way over the course of the next 2 or 3 seasons. Not looking at the splits they have several guys that bat right capable of hitting 20 home runs a year. Steer has done it 2 of 3 years, Stevenson hits 15 playing about 75% of the games, Stewart seems capably of hitting 20 and had 4 in a month last year, if McClain is his 2023 self the also another 20 home run guy. Looking at left handed hitters we have Friedl who although a good leadoff is only going to hit about 15 home runs, lux wouldn’t hit over 10 playing 162 games and then benson has some pop but only against right handed pitching.
I feel like since we have at least 3 right handed hitters capable of hitting 20 home runs each we need a left handed hitter capable of hitting 60 to balance things out. That would move us from 22nd in the league in home runs for 2025 to top 10 or maybe top 5 in 2026. We have top 10 overall speed I think maybe top 5 considering a healthy EDLC is the fastest player in baseball and we have a top 3 and maybe the best starting pitching.
A bunch of average hitters with schwarber hitting right in the middle of them could make them all above average. Also if we are trying to increase our overall home run production (our biggest weakness) no other offensive player right or left of the available free agents even come close to Schwarber. Kyle Tucker is a better overall hitter than schwarber but from a power standpoint it’s not even close. We have several guys that get on base better than average but only a few with a better than average slugging %.
Schwarber to Giants is such an obvious agent ploy that you cannot take this seriously. It only works if you sincerely believe they plan to package Eldridge in a monster deal for a controllable starter which seems extremely unlikely.
For Schwarber it’s going to come down to Middletown against Middleton and on this one I’m hoping Middletown > Middleton.
It would be a win for all of baseball to see the David type of market acquire their Goliath because Cincinnati would be getting that power bat they desperately need and Philadelphia would just reallocate that money they had lined up for Schwarber toward another star caliber player. Both teams can come out better on the other end.