Why the Guardians should break the bank for this former World Series villain 

On May 11, Kyle Schwarber reminded all of Cleveland just how dangerous he can be. After being held relatively in check through the first two games of the Phillies’ three-game series against the Guardians, Schwarber crushed two home runs and drove in all three runs in Philadelphia’s win over the Guardians on Sunday Night Baseball. 

While there are still some hard feelings between Guardians fans and Schwarber due to his contributions for the Cubs during the 2016 World Series, he’s one of the best sluggers in baseball and is set to earn a big payday in free agency. 

That payday should come from the Guardians 

The Guardians should back up the Brinks Truck for Kyle Schwarber

At face value, Schwarber has all the red flags that tend to hinder a player’s ability to earn in free agency since he’ll be 33 next season and has only played 13 games in the field since the start of 2024. But he hits home runs. Lots of home runs. 

In fact, Schwarber hit 187 home runs across his four seasons in Philadelphia while also turning into a locker room leader. This past season was him at the height of his powers, as he led the NL in home runs (56) and led all of baseball in RBI (132) to go along with a .240/.365/.563 slashline. Talk about a great walk year. 

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber, the expectation within baseball is that Schwarber will seek a five-year contract in free agency at $30+ million a year, and that rival officials are “guessing” that owner John Middleton will match or beat Schwarber’s best offer.

And even if that price tag would be tough to stomach considering his age and lack of positional flexibility, he’d provide the Guardians with some much-needed power in the middle of the lineup along with being providing some additional reinforcement for José Ramírez. 

Earlier this week, ESPN’s panel of MLB writers offered predictions for how the offseason will go for all the eliminated postseason teams, where Brad Doolittle highlighted Schwarber as an obvious fit for the Guardians. 

“They certainly can afford to with so little future guaranteed funds tied up -- a big pillow contract to someone like Ohio native Kyle Schwarber would be amazing -- but it's not likely,” he wrote. 

The Guardians only have five contracts on the books for next season after Austin Hedges’ one-year, $4 million contract, and they’ll likely only need around $20 to bring back all their arbitration-eligible players. 

They also have the kind of roster that could adapt to Schwarber’s limitations. They’re one of the best defensive teams in baseball and were able to handle David Fry being a full-time designated hitter while he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

Sure, he made himself Public Enemy No. 1 in Cleveland thanks to the 2016 World Series (and Joe Buck), but it's time to let bygones be bygones.

It doesn’t matter how much it costs. Schwarber would be an obvious upgrade on the field and in the clubhouse, and it’s time for the Guardians to take a swing on him.