Kyle Schwarber was one of the most unlikely heroes of the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series team. After a catastrophic injury that ended his season in the first week of play, he fought back in rehab to be able to play in the Cubs’ first Fall Classic appearance in 70 years. Jed Hoyer and the Cubs gave up on him a few years later. He probably remembers.
After 2016, consecutive seasons of a batting average in the low .200s, an increasing number of strikeouts, and below-average fielding gave Hoyer and the Cubs pause on keeping Schwarber on the Cubs after the 2020 season. They opted not to extend a qualifying offer to Schwarber for 2021, which would have been valued at $8 million. Instead, Schwarber was granted free agency while the Cubs continued pinching for pennies.
After spending time in Washington and helping the Red Sox make a playoff push in 2021, Schwarber signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He’s been there since, helping them make two deep playoff runs. Now that they’ve clinched their division, they’re poised to do it again.
Kyle Schwarber has had a remarkable 2024. He is building on his MLB record of most leadoff home runs in a season. Schwarber hit one against the Cubs on Monday with Jed Hoyer in attendance, reminding Hoyer he is worth way more than the $8 million they passed on him for.
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Kyle Schwarber Continues To Thrive While Jed Hoyer, Cubs Still Searching For Answers
Last night’s home run was Kyle Schwarber’s 37th of the season. He also surpassed 100 runs batted in for the second consecutive year. He’s the first Phillies player to do that since Ryan Howard did it from 2006-2011. It’s also his second consecutive season with 100 walks and 100 runs.
Granted, the Cubs let Schwarber go before the designated hitter was a thing in the National League permanently, feeling Ian Happ was their best option in left field. And, to be fair, Happ is a top-five left fielder in baseball today. But losing Schwarber’s offense is something that will haunt the Cubs until they can find what they gave up on. Also, the last time the Cubs had a player reach 100 RBIs was in 2018, when Javier Báez and Anthony Rizzo both reached the century mark.
Kyle Schwarber would lead the Cubs in all four categories above this year. He’d also lead the team in OPS. His contributions probably could have made a difference in the win/loss column for the Cubs, too. But the Cubs like him walk for nothing in return. He’ll continue to battle for a championship in Philadelphia while a cold, harsh winter begins early for Jed Hoyer and the Cubs in Chicago.
