Insider Links Red Sox To Reunion With Slugger In Free Agency

The Boston Red Sox snapped their three-year playoff drought this season and will look to build off that in the offseason.

Entering the offseason, an area of need for Boston is adding an impact bat. Red Sox insider Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic urged the Red Sox to pursue slugger Kyle Schwarber in free agency.

“Kyle Schwarber is on the free-agent market as well this offseason,” McCaffrey wrote in a piece published on Oct. 6. “With 56 homers through 162 games, Schwarber would be a boon to the offense and has already proven he fits Fenway Park well following his trade to the Red Sox at the 2021 deadline.”

Schwarber will be highly sought after this offseason, as he’s in the final year of his four-year, $79 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Schwarber could serve as the DH for the Red Sox and be a top-of-the-order bat for Boston. Meanwhile, Schwarber hit seven home runs in 38 home games at Fenway Park after the trade to Boston, showing how well his bat works at the stadium.

If Boston doesn’t land Schwarber, McCaffrey believes the Red Sox will pursue the other top sluggers available.

“There will be other options as the offseason unfolds, with trades on the table, but adding more pop to the lineup will be imperative,” McCaffrey added.

The Red Sox finished the year averaging 4.85 runs per game, which ranked seventh in Major League Baseball. But Boston was 15th in the majors in home runs, showing the need for another impact bat.

Boston was eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the New York Yankees.