San Diego Padres' linked to top free agent Kyle Schwarber

Now that the Philadelphia Phillies have been eliminated from the MLB playoffs, all eyes are on star slugger and what he will decide to do during free agency. 

The 32-year-old star DH is one of the most coveted names on the market, and his free agency sweepstakes will be one of the biggest storylines this offseason. 

But who are some of the dark-horse candidates to make a big splash for Schwarber?

The Padres' linked to Kyle Schwarber amid free agency decision. 

In a recent Bleacher Report article by writer Joel Reuter, the San Diego Padres are named a potential suitor for the 56-home run slugger:

"Replacing Dylan Cease and Michael King in the starting rotation will be their No. 1 priority, but Schwarber could be an impact way to replace departing veterans Luis Arraez and Ryan O'Hearn."

The current DH for the Padres is Gavin Sheets, but that's if Ryan O'Hearn departs in free agency, which he is expected to. That leaves an opening at the DH slot, and AJ Preller could pull off one of the best signings of the offseason by adding Schwarber. 

It's hard to imagine Schwarber leaving Philly, but if a team like the Padres offers him a deal he cannot resist, it could become a reality. 

Schwarber had a monster season in 2025, with an OPS+ of 150, 132 runs driven in, and 108 walks. 

There will be many teams rumored to be in on Schwarber in the next couple of months, because what organization wouldn't want that level of production? It's just a matter of who will open up the checkbook for him, and where Schwarber ultimately wants to settle. 

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