Red Sox Predicted to Steal $99M Slugger From Phillies

The Boston Red Sox were eliminated by the New York Yankees in the first round of the MLB postseason. Moving forward, the team could look to surround its young core with some talented veterans and make a real run.

Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer both made their debuts this season. They joined other young, talented Red Sox players such as Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela. While the team has talented pieces, it could use a real power bat to change the lineup.

The Red Sox traded away Rafael Devers. While it provided some flexibility at designated hitter, the team lost its best power hitter. With Kyle Schwarber on the open market, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo predicted the Red Sox would sign him.

“Looking back, the Red Sox should have never let Schwarber walk after the 2021 season, when he proved he was a perfect fit for the market,” Cotillo wrote this week. “They’ll right that wrong this time and add him as a middle-of-the-order designated hitter with 50-homer potential each and every season. It won’t be easy to outbid Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies, but tough decisions are coming for that organization and moving on from Schwarber might have to be one of them.”

Schwarber has already seen some success with the Red Sox, as they were his last stop before signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. In the last four years with the Phillies, he posted a .856 OPS and 187 home runs.

Spotrac projected him to sign a four-year, $99 million deal in free agency. He would slot in as the everyday DH for the Red Sox.

Rafaela, Duran, Abreu and Roman Anthony are all capable of being everyday players. Rafaela can also play in the infield, but if Kristian Campbell makes his way back up to the big leagues, like the Red Sox expect him to, the outfield is already too crowded to try to accommodate Yoshida as well.

Many expect Schwarber to end up back with the Phillies. However, the Red Sox could be a surprise candidate to steal him.