Is a homecoming in Schwarber's future?

MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Kyle Schwarber.

Dec. 3: Is a homecoming in Schwarber's future?
The Reds are among the teams that have been linked to Schwarber in recent days, and multiple sources confirmed to MLB.com that they are indeed in pursuit of the veteran slugger, who hails from nearby Middletown, Ohio, and grew up going to Great American Ball Park.

Citing people briefed on his thinking, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday that Schwarber is interested in a possible homecoming, and that the Reds are "serious" about signing him.

However, Rosenthal cast some doubt on Cincinnati's willingness to make it work from a financial standpoint after president of baseball operations Nick Krall said in early November that the team's 2026 payroll would be about the same as it was in '25. If that's the case, the Reds have about $20 million to spend.

Dec. 2: Giants also in the mix for Schwarber
With Schwarber's market heating up, add the Giants to the teams in the mix for the star slugger.

San Francisco has "checked in" on Schwarber, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi on Tuesday.

The list of suitors keeps growing for one of the premier left-handed power bats in baseball. The Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Orioles, Reds and Pirates have all already been linked to Schwarber.

Dec. 1: Schwarber's market heating up; Mets in the mix (report)
The market for Schwarber is taking shape ahead of baseball’s annual Winter Meetings next week.

Re-signing the 32-year-old slugger is said to be a priority for the Phillies, but sources told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki last week that no deal was close between the two sides. As a result, the door is open for another club to swoop in, and one of Philadelphia’s biggest rivals has emerged as a possible landing spot.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mets are “in the mix” for Schwarber. More >

Nov. 27: Red Sox, Orioles among clubs pursuing Schwarber (report)
Schwarber had a successful 41-game stint with the Red Sox in 2021, slashing .291/.435/.522 following a midseason trade with Washington. Might he soon be calling Fenway Park home once again? If so, Boston will have to fend off many other clubs, including one from within its own division.

MLB Network Jon Heyman writes in the New York Post (subscription required) that Schwarber is "strongly in the mix" for the Red Sox, who have also been linked to other hitters such as Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, J.T. Realmuto and Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto. Heyman reports that Boston is considering signing multiple members of that quintet.

But Heyman adds that the Orioles are also pursuing Schwarber, who would fit in well as Baltimore's designated hitter. Orioles DHs combined to hit .221 with a .676 OPS this past season.

Nov. 25: Deal between Schwarber, Phillies not close (sources)
As expected, the Phillies are said to be prioritizing a reunion with Schwarber. But it doesn't sound like a resolution will be happening anytime soon.

Sources told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that the two sides are not close to a deal, which isn't exactly a surprise. As Schwarber's agents look to capitalize on his monstrous 2025 season, they have no reason to rush anything.

Nov. 18: Pirates reportedly among the suitors for Schwarber
It’s not surprising that, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Schwarber is in high demand this offseason. The Phillies, Mets and Blue Jays are among his suitors. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported Tuesday that the Red Sox have "checked in" on him. And there is a surprising name in the hunt: the Pirates.

Per Passan, Pittsburgh is among the suitors for Schwarber after it made a push to sign first baseman Josh Naylor before he decided to go back to the Mariners. The Pirates don’t have a long history of being very aggressive in free agency; a three-year, $39 million contract in 2015 for left-handed starter Francisco Liriano is the most lucrative deal the team has given a free agent. But Passan writes that the Bucs are primed to spend this winter.

Adding Schwarber would be a boon to an offense that ranked last in the Majors with 117 home runs this season. Schwarber’s 56 dingers in 2025 were the most in the NL and would have topped Pittsburgh’s single-season record of 54 home runs, achieved by Ralph Kiner in 1949.