Cubs fans can stop dreaming—Kyle Schwarber isn’t coming back

Former Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber was the talk of the All-Star game, winning the game for the National League during the first-ever swing-off. As with all of the Cubs from the 2016 World Series team, fans are connected to Schwarber, always looking for breadcrumbs to suggest a return to Chicago is possible. Truth hurts, and the truth is that Schwarber is no closer to returning to the Cubs than he was when the team non-tendered him following the 2020 season.

While Schwarber recently revealed that he won't sign an in-season extension, sparking local speculation he could be an option for the Cubs if Kyle Tucker leaves via free agency, Phillies' owner John Middleton confirmed that the team has no interest in letting Schwarber leave this offseason.

“There’s nothing Kyle does that surprises us, no matter how great he is,” Middleton told reporters. “You expect that from Kyle. And he’s a great person in the dugout. He’s a great person in the clubhouse. We love him. We want to keep him. We don’t need any motivation whatsoever.”

Kyle Schwarber reunion hopes crushed for Cubs fans

If you read between the lines of what any member of the Cubs' core from 2016 has said about the years following the World Series, there is a lot of animosity between those players and the front office. The way Jed Hoyer took a wrecking ball to the core, leaving emotion out of his decisions, didn't sit well with those players. It's the biggest reason why it's hard to see a reunion happening with Schwarber during his playing days.

Schwarber has become embedded in the Phillies' culture, and with an owner who is always geared toward contending, there's no reason to believe he'll be anywhere other than with the Phillies next season.

There is a connection, however, that can be made to the Cubs and Tucker. Middleton all but confirming the Phillies will be intent on bringing back Schwarber leaves one less fallback option for teams who will also have an interest in Tucker. Even more reason why the Cubs need to act with urgency this offseason in trying to sign Tucker to a long-term deal.

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