Kyle Schwarber has found a new home with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The slugger has agreed to sign with Philadelphia, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Wednesday. Press reports affirm that the agreement is for 80 million and 4 seasons.
Schwarber’s reputation soared in 2021 when he produced big after going uncontracted with the Chicago Cubs before the season. He signed with the Washington Nationals, hitting 25 home runs in 72 games before being traded to the Boston Red Sox.
On the biggest stage of a pennant race, Schwarber produced again, compiling a .291 batting average in 41 games. The view of him as just a slugger changed in his time with Boston, where he compiled a .957 OPS and helped lead the Red Sox to the playoffs while being regarded as someone in the lineup who could turn the tide of a game.
Schwarber has gotten better in the outfield throughout his career and has added first base to his résumé after his stint in Boston. In the long run, he’s likely to be a designated hitter and someone who could sometimes substitute for his teammates in the outfield or at first base.
Schwarber hit 94 home runs in a three-year span with the Cubs, while his batting average slowly increased over time. All of that came crashing down in 2020 when he hit just .188 with 11 home runs playing in 59 of 60 games. All of that led to him not being extended a contract with the team that selected him fourth overall in the draft in 2014.
Schwarber’s recovery from a knee injury to participate in the 2016 World Series gave him legendary status in Chicago, but also raised expectations. He’s a classic slugger who could still have an edge at the plate, as he showed in 2021.
The Phillies also completed a one-year deal with outfielder Odúbel Herrera. The Venezuelan appeared in 124 games with the Phillies in 2021, hitting .260 with 27 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 51 RBI and 59 runs scored. He started every outfield position, 92 in center.
A day earlier, the Phillies finalized $6 million, one-year deals with two relievers: right-hander Jeurys Familia and left-hander Brad Hand.
Information from Jesse Rogers of ESPN and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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Sources: Phillies sign slugger Kyle Schwarber