Kyle Schwarber could sign soon and the Reds’ surprise position should raise eyebrows

The connection between the Cincinnati Reds and free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber is indisputable. Schwarber has voiced a desire to play for his hometown team and the Reds desperately need to add some power to the middle of their lineup.

The biggest sticking point, however, is obvious. Schwarber is not going to come cheap and the Reds rarely (if ever) dabble in the upper-echelon of the free agent market. Most predictions foresee Schwarber inking a deal worth upwards of $30 million per year, and the only player in Reds history who's ever come close to that number was Joey Votto.

But despite all the signs that suggest a Schwarber homecoming is little more than a fantasy, one prominent MLB insider is still listing Cincinnati as a possibility. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Reds are still in the mix to sign Schwarber this offseason, along with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. Passan notes, however, that the Philadelphia Phillies remain the favorites to retain his services.

Reds Rumors: Cincy in the mix for free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber

Fellow MLB insider Jon Morosi is reporting that Schwarber is expected to sign a new deal before Kyle Tucker. Morosi doesn't believe either player will sign this week, but with the MLB Winter Meetings set to begin on December 8, one or both sluggers could find a new home by the time team executives leave Orlando next week.

If the Reds are able to pull this off, it would represent a massive shift in the NL Central. Adding Schwarber would immediately turn Cincinnati's lineup into arguably the best in the division, and the Chicago Cubs are unlikely to retain Tucker. At the same time, the St. Louis Cardinals are selling off assets, the Milwaukee Brewers are shopping their ace, and the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to dwell in the NL Central basement.

Adding Schwarber is the easiest way for the Reds to secure one of the best bats on the open market and at the same time make themselves the unquestioned favorites in the NL Central next season. Schwarber's ties to the Cincinnati area are the only reason he's even considered to be in play for the Reds, and it's time for Bob Castellini and the ownership group to pony up.