MLB rumors: 1 of Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber will sign with Phillies

One baseball insider believes the Philadelphia Phillies will be able to sign either Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber in the second wave of MLB free agency.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network expects for the Philadelphia Phillies to come away with either Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber in the second wave of 2022 MLB free agency.

“I’d be surprised if the Phillies don’t get one of Kyle Schwarber or Kris Bryant,” said Heyman to Joe Giglio on WIP Evenings.

Bryant spent the bulk of his big-league career with the Chicago Cubs. He was dealt at the deadline to the NL West-contending San Francisco Giants, but they bowed out in the NLDS to the arch rival Los Angeles Dodgers on a controversial check-swing strike three. Of the many marquee players still on the market, Bryant is the one whose next team seems to be a total crapshoot at this time.

Schwarber was Bryant’s teammate in Chicago before spending last season split between the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox. He too played a big part in his previous team’s return to the postseason, but did not go as far as expected in October. Schwarber becomes even more valuable in the National League because of the recent ratification of the universal DH.

Which player makes the most sense for the Phillies to pursue this March: Bryant or Schwarber?

Philadelphia Phillies could potentially land either Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber

The Phillies need to do something this offseason. They play in the same division as the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves, as well as the big-spending New York Mets who want a title so badly. Not only that, but the Phillies have the longest active postseason drought in the National League. They have not played meaningful October baseball in well over a decade now.

While Bryant is the superior player and the more versatile playmaker, Schwarber is the better addition for the money. Though Bryant may covet playing with his childhood friend Bryce Harper, his market will be so robust that the Phillies may be outbid for his services. If Schwarber can stay healthy and rake up to his standards, he could be the offensive piece to get them over the top.

Since Bryant and Schwarber are not locks to return to their teams, they could become Phillies.