Chicago Cubs Rumors: Kyle Schwarber ‘all ears’ on a Red Sox reunion

Few players boosted their stock as significantly as Kyle Schwarber this postseason. The former Chicago Cubs and current Boston Red Sox slugger showcased his penchant for October heroics once again, blasting a trio of home runs – including a massive grand slam in the ALCS – ahead of his likely foray into free agency once the World Series concludes.

Schwarber’s contract contains an $11.5 million mutual option with a $3 million buyout for 2022 – and he’s all but certain to decline that option in pursuit of a longer-term deal. If Boston wants to bring him back, they’ll face stiff competition as the former first-rounder represents one of the better power bats on the market.

“This is definitely a clubhouse that I could see myself wanting to stay in,” Schwarber said after Boston was eliminated in the ALCS. “These guys are amazing. I said this, it’s two World Series teams going at it. This is a World Series clubhouse, and I would love to hopefully see if that opportunity comes back.”

The Red Sox rolled the dice when they traded for Schwarber from Washington ahead of the trade deadline. Sure, he’d turned in a historic stretch of home runs the month prior – but he was also injured, adding a layer of uncertainty to the move. It’s safe to say that, when he returned though, he was everything Alex Cora and Chaim Bloom hoped for.

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber will be highly sought-after this offseason

Down the stretch for Boston, Schwarber batted .291/.435/.522 – showcasing his signature blend of power and on-base prowess that made him a fan favorite in Chicago. As for the future, it’s anybody’s guess where he’ll wind up. There’s a good chance the designated hitter comes to the National League in the new CBA, which will only drive up demand for players like Schwarber.

“It’d be pretty stupid not to think about [returning],” Schwarber told the Boston Globe. “My team here has been unbelievable. … If they feel like they would like to talk about [a new deal], I’d be all ears. I just think it would be stupid to ‘X’ someone off for no reason. Especially for a place like this, I’d be all ears.”

You can easily make the case the Cubs should be in on their former star outfielder – especially if the DH comes to the Senior Circuit. The team jettisoned its biggest power hitters at the deadline and could definitely use a big bat to build around. There’s obviously money to spend, too.