Phillies snagging MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber dashes Cubs fans' hopes. Chicago shifts focus to Alex Bregman as their impact bat pursuit continues.
Many Cubs fans had Kyle Schwarber at the top of their wishlist for the team this offseason. He was a fan favorite during his six years in the Windy City and would really elevate Chicago's offense in 2026 and beyond.
Unfortunately, the Cubs will not be landing the National League MVP runner-up in free agency.
ESPN Insider Jeff Passan reported early on Tuesday that the Philadelphia Phillies and Schwarber are in agreement on a five-year, $150 million contract. This deal locks up the slugger in Philadelphia through the 2030 season.
Getting Schwarber would have been a nice boost for the Cubs’ lineup across the next few years. He is coming off a career year in 2025, in which he hit 56 home runs and 132 RBI across 162 games for the Phillies.
However, there were no reports that the Cubs were even interested in bringing back Schwarber after he spent the first six years of his career with them. So, the front office might not have been willing to sign him in free agency.
At five years, $150 million, that price tag was likely too high for the Cubs. Schwarber just received the highest annual average value for a designated hitter ($30 million) in MLB history, and the front office probably didn't want to invest that much money into him.
With Schwarber now off the board, all eyes will be on Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman. Those are the top two hitters currently remaining on the open market. Of the two, Bregman feels like the more realistic target for the North Siders this offseason.
The Cubs have been linked to Bregman recently, and the All-Star third baseman might be the team’s last opportunity to acquire an impactful bat in free agency. Chicago appears to be interested in only a few hitters this offseason.
At this point, only Bregman and Eugenio Suarez have been linked to the Cubs over the past few weeks. That signals the front office is only potentially looking for a third base upgrade right now.
Therefore, Schwarber was likely never a realistic target for the Cubs. They were never going to commit five years to a designated hitter who turns 33 years old in March. That’s just not how the front office operates.
While signing Schwarber would have been a game-changer, nothing really changes on the Cubs' front. The team will still pursue a frontline starting pitcher and will continue to show interest in Bregman.
It’s unfortunate, though, that Cubs fans will never get to see Schwarber in the classic white pinstripes at Wrigley Field again.