(Audacy) All-Star slugger Kyle Schwarber is headed back to the National League.
Schwarber has agreed to a four-year deal worth nearly $80 million, according to a report from the Athletic on Wednesday morning. Schwarber had a robust free-agent market, also drawing interest from the Marlins, Rockies, Blue Jays, Red Sox and the Cubs, for whom he played for from 2015-'20.
Schwarber, 29, is a strong 2021 season, when he launched 32 homers and posted a .928 OPS over 113 games for the Red Sox and Nationals. An outfielder by trade, Schwarber also logged 10 appearances at first base last season and should see extensive time at designated now that the National League has adopted it.
Schwarber gives the Phillies, who are looking to end an 11-year playoff drought, another left-handed power bat to complement reigning MVP Bryce Harper in the middle of the order. His addition presumably takes Philadelphia out of the running for infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant, Harper’s childhood friend from Las Vegas and a key contributor to the Cubs’ championship team in 2016. For his career, Schwarber has hit a disappointing .161 in Philadelphia in 62 at-bats, though eight of his 10 hits at Citizens Bank Park have gone for extra bases (six homers, two triples).
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