The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly pursuing Kyle Schwarber, a move that resonates with his long-standing ties to the organization—having been a Reds fan growing up near Cincinnati. The Reds are in need of a powerful hitter after finishing 14th in Major League Baseball (MLB) in scoring during the last season, despite playing in one of the league’s most favorable hitting environments. Their offensive stats were underwhelming, marked by a .245/.315/.391 batting line and a mere 21st in home runs. Only Elly De La Cruz managed to hit 22 homers, while the team’s best hitters who could slug over .450, Miguel Andujar and Austin Hays, are now free agents.
Schwarber stands out as the top slugger available this offseason, having just completed a season with the Philadelphia Phillies where he belted 56 home runs while maintaining a .240/.365/.563 batting average. Notably, he has not hit fewer than 30 home runs in any full season since 2018 and ranks among the league leaders in home runs over the past four years.
The Reds currently do not have a designated hitter entrenched in their lineup and are likely to evaluate 22-year-old Sal Stewart to see if he can contribute as a first baseman. If the Reds were to acquire Schwarber—or possibly even Pete Alonso, another player they’ve been linked to—they might need to consider shifting Spencer Steer more into left field or exploring trade options.
However, luring Schwarber to Cincinnati would require a substantial financial commitment from the team. He is expected to exceed $100 million in guaranteed money, potentially landing contracts with annual values surpassing $30 million. Historically, the Reds have only awarded two nine-figure contracts—one each to Joey Votto and Homer Bailey—while their highest free agent deals have been considerably lower at $64 million.
Reds’ President of Baseball Operations, Nick Krall, recently indicated that the team anticipates maintaining a payroll similar to the previous season, which stood at approximately $116 million. With around $40 million already tied up in guaranteed contracts and a significant arbitration class projected to cost an additional $45 million, the Reds could find themselves constrained financially. While they may seek to sign a notable bat, acquiring Schwarber could necessitate exceeding their preferred budget.
Other teams are also in the race for Schwarber, with the San Francisco Giants reported to have reached out, although they face their own roster challenges. With Rafael Devers already under contract and the need to accommodate top prospect Bryce Eldridge, the Giants may find it difficult to justify a long-term commitment to Schwarber, particularly for a role that might not align with his skill set.
Despite the competition, the Philadelphia Phillies remain eager to entice Schwarber back, and the Orioles and Red Sox have also expressed interest in adding a significant power bat to their lineups. The Pittsburgh Pirates are considered a long shot, having made an unsuccessful bid for Josh Naylor earlier.
The focus on Schwarber illustrates the Reds’ proactive approach in addressing their offensive deficiencies while navigating the complexities of their budget constraints. If they can make a deal happen, it could provide the spark their lineup desperately needs.