Chicago Cubs News: Is it even possible to “blow it up”?

Chicago Cubs: Will there be takers for Kyle Schwarber?

Schwarber is another guy whose name has been in and out of the rumor mill for the past few years.

Epstein and Jed Hoyer have routinely preached patience for “Schwarbs,” and it seemed to pay off when he had a monster second half in 2019.

Schwarber finished the 2019 season with 38 homers and a .871 OPS and seemed primed for a massive year in 2020. It did not happen.

The 22-year-old hit 11 homers, but he slugged just .393 while the ground ball and pull rates skyrocketed. Schwarber also continued to struggle in left field, ranking in the bottom one percent in terms of outs above average, per Baseball Savant.

There could still be intrigue as far as Schwarber’s value is concerned. His exit velocities and hard-hit rates are still good, and perhaps he can stick somewhere if the universal DH remains.

But he has not produced consistently enough to merit a big return, especially considering he, too, will be a free agent after next year.