Philadelphia Phillies: 5 best free agent outfielders to sign
By Tim Boyle
2. Philadelphia Phillies outfield free agent target: Kyle Schwarber.
Everybody and their mother seems to want Kyle Schwarber on the Phillies. I get it. He’s a power lefty coming off of a terrific season with the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox. In only 471 plate appearances, Schwarber smashed 32 home runs and drove in 71. He did it all while batting .266/.374/.554. All of these totals were new career highs.
Schwarber could fill two roles for the Phillies. The DH spot would be pretty perfect. Alternatively, he could be the everyday left fielder.
This is where we run into some concerns. Schwarber is a catcher who became a left fielder out of needing a position. He has never been very good there nor should we ever expect him to be. This hasn’t been a deterrent from the Phillies making other moves in recent seasons. I do, however, believe it’s time for a change.
If you make Schwarber your left fielder, you need a top-level defender in center field. Otherwise, the Phillies risk losing games with their gloves.
A Phillies starting lineup that could go Rhys Hoskins to Bryce Harper to J.T. Realmuto to Kyle Schwarber is a dangerous one. They’d just have to hold onto their hats and hope the bullpen doesn’t blow the lead.