Red Sox not re-signing Kyle Schwarber continues to look bad
As the MLB playoffs continue on, Boston Red Sox fans should be very furious. Why you ask? Kyle Schwarber continues to be a catalyst for a Philadelphia Phillies team that is up 2-1 in the NLCS.
We forget that Kyle Schwarber was a big part of the Red Sox success in 2021. Tape measure homeruns were flying out of Fenway Park, off the bat of the left-handed power hitter. I still remember the grand slam he hit in game three of the ALCS last year vs. Houston.
But now, Schwarber is happy with his big contract and success of the Phillies. This should make Red Sox fans burning with rage. Simply put, the Boston Red Sox not re-signing Schwarber continues to look bad!
The Boston Red Sox could’ve used Kyle Schwarber’s power
Schwarber would’ve helped the Boston Red Sox offense in 2022. Look at how successful his first season has been with the Phillies!
Schwarber hit 46 homeruns in his first season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Yes, you read that correctly! Now, let’s take a look in at how our Red Sox hitters fared this season.
Rafael Devers hit 27 homeruns for the Sox this season, and keep in mind; he was injured for a part of the second half of the 2022 season.
After that, J.D. Martinez and Trevor Story tied for second on the team in homeruns, with 16. Keep in mind, Trevor Story was basically out the last part of the season. Xander Bogaerts had 15 homeruns. You get the point by now!
The Red Sox could’ve benefitted from the outfielder’s power. They literally saw it with their own eyes last season! Put Schwarber in that lineup and the offense could’ve looked a lot different.
The Boston Red Sox could’ve used Kyle Schwarber’s plate discipline
This is the part that drives me nuts personally. A lot of times in 2022, we saw the Red Sox taking horrendous approaches at the plate. Often leading to times when they’d strike out frequently on bad pitches.
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Insert Kyle Schwarber into this equation. Now, I’m not saying having the lefty slugger would’ve solved all of the Red Sox problems at the plate. But at least he gives you productive, quality at-bats. Look at the homerun he hit in game three of the NLCS, perfect example. Schwarber worked a 3-2 count before sending a pitch into the Philadelphia night.
You can’t undervalue something like that at the MLB level. Advanced metrics or not, Schwarber’s plate discipline is an intangible that Boston could’ve benefitted from this season.
The bottom line with the Boston Red Sox and Kyle Schwarber
The Boston Red Sox screwed up the Schwarber situation, and it isn’t even close.
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It infuriates me that if the strike didn’t occur, that the Red Sox might’ve had a more realistic chance of re-signing Schwarber. Now, where has it gotten you? In a position where a DH will be needed, unless multiple free agency signings are made.
If the Sox want to contend in 2023, they need to find a way to make up for the production that Schwarber would’ve given them in 2022. Man, what a gut punch that is to think about!