Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup could use more than Kyle Schwarber

Well, hey, the Philadelphia Phillies picked up a big bat. Kyle Schwarber will be a member of the 2022 team and beyond. Signed to a four-year deal worth $79 million, Bryce Harper and friends will have a little more help in the coming seasons.

After punting the center field position with what looks to be a platoon with Odubel Herrera and Matt Vierling, it’s nice to see the Phillies do the wise thing and add a potentially potent bat into left field. Or maybe they have something else up their sleeve.

Schwarber is not an excellent fielder. The added DH in the National League can be solved with the addition of Schwarber—a personal preference of mine. Given this, the Schwarber signing should be the first of two big additions the team makes to the starting lineup.

The Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup needs a true left fielder added into the mix.

The look of the Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup is much different with Schwarber implanted in either left field or at DH. There’s a cosmic shift. Suddenly, there’s a lot more power. And if last season was any indication, Schwarber has 40 home run potential in a full season playing half of his games in a hitter’s paradise like Citizen’s Bank Ballpark.

Schwarber won’t solve all of the club’s issues, though. If Schwarber slots in at the DH spot, left field is a huge weakness for the club. A position you never necessarily want weak on offense, the Schwarber signing should be the first of two big additions.

Fortunately, there are still players the Phillies can add. Michael Conforto would be my absolute top choice even if his left-handed bat might remove some balance. This was never a problem during the heyday of batting Chase Utley and Ryan Howard back-to-back with Raul Ibanez not far behind. Why let it be a problem now especially when you have guys like J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins mixed in along the way?

The Phillies should also still be in the market for Kris Bryant. Even if Alec Bohm remains with the club, there are ways to make it all work. Bohm can move to first base and Hoskins can move to the DH spot. This would give the Phillies another year to decide on Bohm’s future. They could also move things around less and simply place Bryant in left field where he has experience.

Lesser outfielders are also available in free agency. Let’s also not forget the trade market. The Phillies may not have enough minor league talent to go this route and will instead need to settle for what has remained unsigned.

Whatever their plan seems to be, it can’t be over yet. Schwarber should be chapter one of a two-parter.