Cubs fans shouldn't invest much time or energy into new Kyle Schwarber rumor

At the onset of the offseason, a reunion between Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies felt like a foregone conclusion. And that may yet be how things play out. The Phillies love what he brings to the table both in terms of on-field production and locker room presence and Dave Dombrowski isn't scared to put big-money deals out there.

But a new report says the two sides are 'not close to a deal' at present, which no doubt has at least some Chicago Cubs fans wondering if there's a chance he comes home to the team that drafted him more than a decade ago. I'm sorry, but it feels like the longest of long shots, for multiple reasons.

Reds, Pirates also connected to Kyle Schwarber in offseason rumors

It's not like there will be any shortage of interest in Schwarber if he somehow doesn't return to Philadelphia. Besides the far-fetched speculation connecting him to the Cubs, a pair of NL Central foes - the Reds and Pirates - have both been connected to the Ohio native, who grew up a Reds fan. Neither of those teams are exactly heavyweights in the free agent market and, for that reason, although a deal isn't close, betting odds have Schwarber coming back to the Phillies.

"The feeling here is that Schwarber will remain in Philadelphia. This feels somewhat similar to Realmuto’s free agency in 2020-21. Realmuto’s agency at one point asked for more than $200 million, creating some level of pessimism inside the organization."

Schwarber is coming off the best season of his career, setting personal-highs in virtually every offensive category and leading the league in both home runs (56) and runs batted in (132). Heading into his age-33 season, MLB Trade Rumors predicted a five-year, $135 million deal - and all three of their experts pegged him for a return to the city of Brotherly Love.

As far as the Cubs are concerned, the fit isn't impossible, although it would likely mean trading Moises Ballesteros in a deal for an ace given Schwarber is a full-time DH at this point in his career. Then you could platoon Seiya Suzuki and Owen Caissie in right field, hoping the latter shows he's ready to take the gig when Suzuki hits free agency next winter.

But given how badly this team needs pitching - and not the bargain bin variety, either - it's hard to see Jed Hoyer doling out nearly $30 million a year on a bat. With the Winter Meetings just weeks away, maybe we'll see Schwarber's market start to really take shape - and maybe a dark horse sneaks into the race and tries to pry him away from Philly.