There were a few big issues that the Philadelphia Phillies needed to address this offseason, with the most dire and noteworthy one being the free agency of Kyle Schwarber.
He wound up signing a five-year, $150 million contract with the Phillies, as the beloved slugger stayed in Philadelphia on a massive new deal. But, not without a scare from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, especially.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared that the Reds were willing to offer more money than the Phillies, but Schwarber's response to the Reds was a great one that should get Phillies fans fired up for his return to the lineup in 2026.
Kyle Schwarber has incredible response to Reds' big FA offer
"Schwarber received a five-year $150 million contract from the Phillies," Nightengale writes, "but he was in such demand that even the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds were in serious pursuit, with the Reds even willing to offer more until Schwarber told them it wasn't necessary."
Schwarber, according to Nightengale, had a larger free agent contract offer on the table from the Reds this offseason, but he didn't take it.
Instead, per Nightengale, Schwarber told the Reds their lofty offer wasn't necessary, taking the $150 million deal with the Phillies, leaving money on the table.
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Schwarber is beloved in Philadelphia, and this note from Nightengale, that he turned down more money from his hometown team to return to the Phillies, will only make him more of a fan favorite.
The Reds' willingness to spend so much on Schwarber is very notable, as they weren't going to go to such lengths for any other free agent this winter.
But, despite a very aggressive push from the hometown Reds, Schwarber decided to return to the Phillies, signing a huge deal worth $30 million per year, despite a bigger deal from the Reds available to him as well.
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