Chicago Cubs: What to do with lefty Kyle Schwarber

The Chicago Cubs left-handed power bat, Kyle Schwarber had his best year in the big leagues in 2019. Now the question is, what’s next for him?

Chicago Cubs Kyle Schwarber had a breakout year in 2019. He was the best version of himself that we had ever seen, especially in the second half of the season. This had to be a proud moment for Cubs President of baseball operations Theo Epstein, who has proven time and time again that he won’t give up on his 2014 first-round pick.

Schwarber has been criticized a bunch during his time in the big leagues. In 2017, Joe Maddon decided to bat him in the leadoff spot, and we all know how that worked out with a trip to Triple-A Iowa for a few weeks. Schwarber just kept working, and in a year in which he spent time in the minors, he still hit 30 home runs that season. During the 2017 season, many people were calling for the Cubs to part ways with Schwarber. Then during the offseason going into 2018, Schwarber went through a lifestyle change and got into the best shape of his life.

The 2019 season was the year of reckoning for many players on the Cubs. Schwarber was an essential part of that. He needed to perform, or change was coming for the slugger.

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During this past season, Schwarber batted .250 with 38 home runs and 92 RBIs. All these were career highs for Schwarber. He also had a career-high in OPS with a .871. This was the Schwarber that we all thought we would have a guy that would slug, take his walks, but not have a crazy batting average, and that’s what we got.

Schwarbers’ second half was just as good as Nicholas Castellanos‘s second half and we all know how good he was as a Cub. Schwarber didn’t get the praise as Castellanos did, but he was just as good. Even though statistically, Schwarber was the Cub’s most valuable hitter in the second half (2.1fWar). Castellanos was not far behind, as we all know (2.0 fWar).

This is where things getting tricky is what to do with Schwarber this offseason. The Cubs have a few options. One is to try and trade Schwarber while his value is the highest that it’s ever been. He would be a perfect fit for an American League team where he can DH even though his defense has gotten much better over the years.

I believe the Cubs should keep Schwarber after the year he had. Schwarber had 610 plate appearances in 2019, which is 100 more appearances than he has had in any other season. As in past seasons, he’s been a platoon guy and not played every day. This season showed that if he plays every day, he can be good at the plate like we all saw this season.