Former MLB GM and current analyst Steve Phillips appeared on MLB Network’s Hot Stove program on Wednesday and said that there’s a “good chance” Kyle Schwarber lands somewhere other than Philadelphia in free agency. This is positive talk for the Boston Red Sox, who are reportedly interested in Schwarber.
Phillips also revealed that the key to signing Schwarber will be to offer him a five-year deal. Phillips suggested that Schwarber is in line for a four-year contract, but that a club could separate itself in the sweepstakes by offering five years to Schwarber.
Phillips also indicated that that club should be the Cincinnati Reds.
“ I think it’s gonna come down to who’s willing to give (Schwarber) the extra year,” Phillips said. “He’s gonna play at 33 (years old) next season. And so, you know, nobody wants to go more than four years. He’s going to want the fifth year, and somebody’s going to have to do it. I think this is the time and place for the Cincinnati Reds.”
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“If it takes the fifth year, give it to him,” Phillips continued. “You’re never going to be in a better position at this time and moment and this place to have a window to win (if you’re the Reds). Everybody would love to have the young starting pitching that they have in Cincinnati right now.”
Cincy also has an intriguing superstar in Elly De La Cruz, but the team lacks slug. Schwarber hit 56 homers last season with 132 RBI and a .928 OPS in 162 games played. Even a lesser version of that season would do wonders for the Reds in 2026, who were a playoff team in ’25.
The San Francisco Giants are another NL club interested in Schwarber. If the Red Sox are gung-ho on re-uniting with Schwarber, it’ll likely take a colossal deal to beat all of this competition, perhaps most of all the Phillies.
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Featured image via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
