Kyle Schwarber’s price skyrockets and one surprise team is suddenly in the mix

Kyle Schwarber was always going to draw a crowd this winter, but the early read on his market suggests something stronger. On Foul Territory, FanSided’s Robert Murray said Schwarber’s next deal is expected to open at three years and $90 million and likely climb from there. 

The combination of power, leadership, and on-base ability has made him one of the most sought-after bats available, despite the DH-heavy profile.

For the Philadelphia Phillies, Murray said the club “needs to do everything in their power” to keep the lefty slugger, who has become a clubhouse anchor and a defining personality for a team built on chemistry as much as talent. 

Schwarber’s home-run production and postseason track record only amplify the urgency. With the Phillies again operating inside a tight contender’s window, replacing that presence would be difficult, expensive, and potentially disruptive.

In 2025, Schwarber led the National League with 56 home runs and drove in 132 runs (.240/.365/.563 slash line), and in his career postseason, he’s smacked 23 homers in 73 games. 

But Philadelphia isn’t the only team staring down its own history. 

“If you're the Boston Red Sox, you need to right that wrong when you ended up letting him leave as a free agent when he went to Philadelphia,” Murray said. 

The Red Sox watched Schwarber walk after the 2021 season, but they may get another crack at the partnership they let slip away. 

Murray said chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, who has emphasized roster flexibility but may be willing to bend the DH philosophy for a true middle-order force. Breslow referenced the David Ortiz model while discussing elite DH candidates,  a not-so-subtle reminder that exceptions exist when the bat is worth it.

Boston’s need for identity and Philadelphia’s need for continuity set up a compelling chase at a time when Schwarber’s value is understood across the league. 

And then Murray threw in the idea of an emotional darkhorse: the Cincinnati Reds.

When Schwarber was asked recently about the possibility of joining the Reds, he “didn’t shoot that down,” according to Murray. He pointed out that Schwarber’s Midwest roots make Cincinnati a natural geographic fit, and the Reds’ need for a middle-order lefty bat only strengthens the logic. While they aren’t traditionally positioned to win a bidding war, their young core and improving roster give them an outside shot as a stealth suitor if Schwarber prioritizes comfort and contending upside over pure financial muscle.

In a winter loaded with pitching headlines, Schwarber has emerged as one of the few bats capable of tilting a franchise’s trajectory. And both the Phillies and Red Sox know he can tilt theirs the other way if they let someone else step in first.