Could one of Major League Baseball’s best sluggers be coming home to Cincinnati this offseason?According to a recent report from ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Cincinnati Reds are continuing to pursue designated hitter Kyle Schwarber in free agency.Passan reported the Reds’ interest in a post on Threads, saying the Philadelphia Phillies remain the favorite to retain Schwarber, with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets also in pursuit.Schwarber signing with the Reds would be a significant moment for the franchise and would likely require the team to give out the largest free agent contract in their history to the Middletown, Ohio, native.Schwarber, 32, finished second in National League MVP voting last season, blasting 56 home runs with 132 RBIs as he helped lead the Phillies to the playoffs.Schwarber has spent the past four seasons with the Phillies, making the NL All-Star team in 2022 and 2025.Schwarber began his career with the Chicago Cubs and also played with the Red Sox and Washington Nationals.Across his 11-year career, the left-handed hitting Schwarber has 340 home runs and an .846 OPS. He is a three-time All-Star.According to Passan’s report, Schwarber is expected to sign early in the offseason, meaning a resolution on his next team could be coming shortly.The largest free agent contract the Reds have handed out belonged to Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos, who both signed $64 million deals ahead of the 2020 season.The MLB Winter Meetings, which often help get many free agent deals completed, are Dec. 7-10 in Orlando, Florida.

CINCINNATI —

Could one of Major League Baseball’s best sluggers be coming home to Cincinnati this offseason?

According to a recent report from ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Cincinnati Reds are continuing to pursue designated hitter Kyle Schwarber in free agency.

Passan reported the Reds’ interest in a post on Threads, saying the Philadelphia Phillies remain the favorite to retain Schwarber, with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets also in pursuit.

Schwarber signing with the Reds would be a significant moment for the franchise and would likely require the team to give out the largest free agent contract in their history to the Middletown, Ohio, native.

Schwarber, 32, finished second in National League MVP voting last season, blasting 56 home runs with 132 RBIs as he helped lead the Phillies to the playoffs.

Schwarber has spent the past four seasons with the Phillies, making the NL All-Star team in 2022 and 2025.

Schwarber began his career with the Chicago Cubs and also played with the Red Sox and Washington Nationals.

Across his 11-year career, the left-handed hitting Schwarber has 340 home runs and an .846 OPS. He is a three-time All-Star.

According to Passan’s report, Schwarber is expected to sign early in the offseason, meaning a resolution on his next team could be coming shortly.

The largest free agent contract the Reds have handed out belonged to Mike Moustakas and Nick Castellanos, who both signed $64 million deals ahead of the 2020 season.

The MLB Winter Meetings, which often help get many free agent deals completed, are Dec. 7-10 in Orlando, Florida.