The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to face stiff competition this offseason in their bid to re-sign veteran slugger. The 32-year-old is poised to enter his age-33 season on the heels of what could be the best year of his career, drawing significant interest from multiple teams.
While the usual contenders are likely to make offers, the Cincinnati Reds have also emerged as a potential destination. Top star, a native of Middletown, Ohio — less than an hour from Great American Ball Park — blasted his National League-leading 42nd home run on Monday night. Following the Phillies’ 4-1 victory, reporters pressed him about free agency and the prospect of finishing his career close to home in Cincinnati.
The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans reports that Schwarber is very open to the idea of returning home to play for Cincinnati.
“If you asked the childhood version of me what team I’d want to play for, it would be Cincinnati,” Schwarber told Rosecrans. “I think that’s a natural thought, and it’s definitely appealing. But free agency is unpredictable — having been through it a couple of times, I know it’s always an interesting process.”
This isn’t the first time Schwarber has spoken publicly about his interest in joining his hometown Reds. During the All-Star break, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber noted that Schwarber viewed Cincinnati as an appealing destination.
“I think they’re young, they made some moves at the deadline, and brought in pieces that will be around for a while,” Schwarber said Monday, per FOX19’s Joe Danneman. “There’s a lot for Cincinnati to be excited about. The future looks bright here. And with \[Terry Francona] now in charge — a guy with a lot of winning experience — there are plenty of reasons things are trending up in Cincinnati.”
Paired with recent speculation that some of Schwarber’s friends believe he’s interested in returning to the Midwest, the idea is enough to make Phillies fans feel uneasy.
Still, there’s reason for optimism in Philadelphia. Schwarber has also expressed a desire to remain with the Phillies, hinting at that throughout the season and reaffirming it on Monday.
“My biggest thing has always been that I’m here to win and help this team win,” Schwarber told Rosecrans. “I’ve loved my time here, and it’s a clubhouse I can see myself being part of for a long time.”
Schwarber has been the driving force behind the Phillies’ offense this year, hitting .249 with a .951 OPS, an NL-leading 42 home runs, 97 RBIs, 81 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases.
His value, however, extends beyond the stat sheet. Schwarber is a respected clubhouse leader, the kind that’s hard to replace. If he departs in free agency, the Phillies would not only lose his power at the plate but also a key piece of their team chemistry. The looming question is whether they’re willing — and able — to meet what appears to be an increasingly steep price to keep him.