Report: Phillies, Red Sox, Mets, Reds in mix for Schwarber

The reigning National League home run leader has a robust market this free agency.

Kyle Schwarber is receiving interest from the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets, among others, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The Phillies are the favorites to re-sign the star slugger after spending the last four seasons in Philadelphia, per Passan.

Schwarber couldn't have put together a better platform year before re-entering free agency. The 32-year-old slashed .240/.365/.563 with a career-high 56 home runs and 132 RBIs, while also posting a .928 OPS and 150 OPS+. It was a fourth straight season in which Schwarber hit at least 38 homers and posted an OPS above .800.

That type of production makes it no surprise that Schwarber would have a sizeable market as one of the best free-agent bats available despite being almost exclusively a designated hitter at this point in his career.

Schwarber spent part of the 2021 season with the Red Sox after coming over at the trade deadline. He was excellent, hitting seven homers to go with a .957 OPS in 41 games. While his bat would be a perfect fit in Boston's lineup, the club already has a crowded outfield that has forced fellow left-handed hitter Masataka Yoshida to DH duties.

The Reds would represent a homecoming for Schwarber as he was born in nearby Middletown, OH. They're in need of a power bat after they only had two players hit more than 20 homers in 2015. Schwarber would most likely require Cincinnati to blow past its free-agent franchise record four-year, $64-million deal it previously spent on Mike Moustakas.

The Mets are trying to remake a club that disappointingly missed the playoffs. New York is in need of an impact bat after trading away outfielder Brandon Nimmo. First baseman Pete Alonso may also depart via free agency this winter.