3 Last-minute moves the Phillies can still make before the MLB lockout

3. The Phillies need to throw the bank at Kyle Schwarber before the CBA expires

Like Corey Knebel, Kyle Schwarber is a free agent the Phillies are in “full pursuit” of this winter. He’s a perfect fit for them, but they’ll have to outdo the Red Sox in order to get him.

One advantage the Phillies have is that they recently hired hitting coach Kevin Long. Last winter, Long worked with Schwarber when he signed with the Nats, and the results were astounding: Schwarber set new personal bests in batting average, on-base and slugging percentages, OPS, and struck out less than any other 100+ game season of his career.

Oh, and between June 12-29, he homered 16 times in 18 games.

Schwarber would make a perfect DH for the Phillies if the next CBA reimplements it. He can also play the outfield and he learned how to play first base when the Red Sox acquired him at the 2021 trade deadline.

However, the Phillies have stiff competition from the Red Sox, as well as the Marlins, and other teams eager to add a big bat to their lineups. The good news is that if Schwarber doesn’t sign in the coming hours, the Phillies front office will have plenty of time during the lockout to map out their wooing strategy.