Phillies trade idea sends Kyle Schwarber to AL contender after insider update

The Detroit Tigers have been the best team in baseball with a 33-17 record through 50 games this season.

They have gotten great efforts from the pitching staff that includes 2024 American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal as well as an offense that ranks second in run differential (+85).

How could the top team in Major League Baseball get better? By adding one of MLB’s home run leaders.

If the Philadelphia Phillies don’t believe they could extend Kyle Schwarber beyond this season, they could part ways with slugging designated hitter by the trade deadline.

Schwarber, 32, is tied for first with Shohei Ohtani with 17 home runs so this season and has driven in 37 runs. He also has 301 career home runs, belting at least 38 in each of the last three seasons.

MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic mentioned the Tigers as a potential suitor for Schwarber in free agency, and Jonathan Rankin of Heavy broke down possible prospects who could be moved to complete a shocking trade.

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Left-handed reliever Brant Hurter would certainly be a player of interest for the Phillies.

Hurter, 26, has been stellar for Detroit this season, pitching 26.0 innings with a minuscule 2.08 ERA in 14 appearances. The Tigers have had a good bullpen and may be willing to expend Hurter if it meant bringing in a left-handed power bat for the middle of the order.

Detroit’s No. 1 prospect Max Clark is another possible piece to be traded. Although it is less likely that the Tigers would want to part ways with him for a rental, he isn’t expected to be MLB ready until 2027.

However, if Clark is made available by the Tigers, we could be seeing Schwarber in the Motor City.

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