With free agency looming right around the corner, the Philadelphia Phillies will be feeling the pressure to quickly agree to a new contract with pending free agent Kyle Schwarber. There will be plenty of interest from other clubs, including the Boston Red Sox, Schwarber's former employer.
Schwarber played for Boston during the second half of the 2021 season. The designated hitter began the year with the Washington Nationals, but the Red Sox acquired him at the trade deadline for minor league pitcher Aldo Ramirez.
According to MassLive's Chris Cotillo, the Red Sox will be in play for Schwarber, especially if the Phillies don't get something done quickly.
Red Sox will put pressure on Phillies to sign Kyle Schwarber quickly in free agency
According to Cotillo, the Red Sox are looking for an upgrade at the designated hitter spot this offseason. Masataka Yoshida had a disappointing year after missing several months recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The club may look to move on from him this winter.
Schwarber and free agent Pete Alonso are options Boston may pursue, according to Cotillo.
Cotillo notes that Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the organization would love to have Schwarber on the team. If the Phillies don't agree to a deal quickly with the outfielder in the offseason, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow may make a contract offer of his own for the power hitter to sign with Boston.
"Cora has been clear about his admiration for Schwarber, who the Red Sox love, and if a quick reunion with the Phillies doesn’t come together, expect Boston to show some real interest there," per Cotillo.
Schwarber fit in well with Boston's lineup after the team acquired him in July 2021. He compiled a .291/.435/.522 line with a .957 OPS in 41 regular-season contests with the Red Sox.
KYLE SCHWARBER ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2025
This ball may not have landed yet 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xIAPc4r59W
He is coming off arguably the best season of his career, with a career-high 56 home runs and a .928 OPS, which ties his career high set back in 2021, also a contract year. The 32-year-old's .563 SLG this year with the Phillies was also the highest of his career.
Schwarber's presence is valued among his peers in the Phillies clubhouse. He is arguably the top hitter available in free agency this offseason, and he may sign with another team this winter.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and managing partner John Middleton know they will have competition from other clubs to sign Schwarber, even if he would like to return to Philadelphia.
The Phillies are likely making it their highest priority this offseason to re-sign him, despite his rumored contract demands. However, there will be plenty of eager teams, such as the Red Sox, looking to swoop in if contract talks stall.