Latest Contract Prediction Makes Kyle Schwarber Attractive Option for Cubs
Jim Bowden of The Athletic released his contract predictions for the top 50 free agents on Monday, giving fans his opinion on how much some of the most sought-after names will cost their teams this winter. His second-best player is Kyle Schwarber, who is set to become a free agent once the offseason begins.
Bowden forecasts Schwarber’s contract to be five years at $160 million, good for an average annual value of $32 million. That’s a solid deal for Schwarber’s level, whose lack of defensive versatility — or any defense at all, really — hurts him when it comes to earning a monster contract. But he’s still one of the best power hitters in baseball, and that’s what teams want him for.
The designated hitter is coming off the best season of his career, with a 152 wRC+ and 4.9 fWAR. Schwarber’s 56 home runs trailed only Cal Raleigh for the most in MLB, and it was the third time in four seasons he’d hit at least 46 dingers. Though his .240 batting average might not look great to those who pay attention to such things, his high walk rate gave him a .365 OBP that was 50 points above league average.
Kyle Tucker‘s likely departure will leave the Cubs looking for a big bat to help the lineup, so bringing Schwarber back for a second stint could be just what the doctor ordered. Jed Hoyer has expressed regret over moving on from Schwarber as unceremoniously as they did, citing budget cuts as the reason they non-tendered the star slugger.
After spending 2021 with the Nationals and Red Sox, Schwarber has resided in Philadelphia for the past four seasons. In that time, his 434 RBI rank fourth in MLB and his 187 homers trail only Aaron Judge (210) for most in the game. Add in the fact that he hits lefty, and Schwarber is exactly the bat the Cubs need to transform their lineup. The dude hits nukes, who wouldn’t want that on their team?
Other than Hoyer circa late 2020, that is.
466 FT later!
THIS angle of Kyle Schwarber's 300th career homer! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lZsnwGnjdf
— MLB (@MLB) May 20, 2025
Despite what some see as an obstacle, that prior relationship could help the Cubs when it comes to Schwarber’s free agency. He knows the area, is familiar with several members of the front office, and won a World Series following a highly improbable comeback from knee surgery. Seiya Suzuki showed improvements defensively in right field this season during Tucker’s absence, so moving him to the outfield again seems like a possibility. Sign Schwarber to be the full-time designated hitter, and the lineup once again looks very dangerous.
Financially, the Cubs don’t have much money invested in payroll beyond 2026. Giving Schwarber $160 million should convince him that Chicago is the best option while also keeping it from the longer end of free agent deals that Hoyer normally strays away from. And with possibly as much as $100 million between their projected payroll and the first level of luxury tax penalties, there would still be plenty of room to add more impact players.
