Reds' hopes surge as insider reveals doomsday Phillies twist in Kyle Schwarber chase

Philadelphia Inquirer beat reporter Scott Lauber is as plugged in as anyone in Phillies' circles, so when he hits the panic button, fans in the City of Brotherly Love are sure to take notice. Lauber's latest publication (subscription required) gives rise to the idea that the Cincinnati Reds are well positioned to sign Kyle Schwarber this offseason regardless of what the Philadelphia Phillies do.

Lauber laid it out very clearly, stating that the Phillies want to re-sign Schwarber and can offer him the more money (even a five-year deal), and yet, still lose the slugger to his hometown Reds. This is a doomsday scenario for Philly, but would have the city of Cincinnati on cloud nine.

The Reds are known to have interest in Schwarber, and he'd instantly fix one of the team's biggest issues — a lack of power. Cincinnati ranked among the bottom-third of the league both home runs and slugging percentage last season.

Phillies' doomsday scenario would be a dream come true for the Reds as they chase Kyle Schwarber

Lauber's insight obvoiusly centers around the one thing that the Phillies can't offer but the Reds can — the comfort of playing at home. As everyone throughout Reds Country knows, Schwarber is from the area (Middletown, Ohio) and was a huge fan of his hometown team while growing up just north of Cincinnati.

Lauber correctly points out that Schwarber and his family spend the offseason in southwest Ohio, and he and his wife are now expecting their third child. The Inquirer columnist also points to the Reds' resurgence and recent playoff berth under Terry Francona in 2025 — something that could be rather appealing to Schwarber as he enters the back-half of his Major League career.

The Reds will never be able to match the Phillies' offer. But there are ways that Cincinnati's front office can at least get close. Whether or not Cincinnati makes a competitive offer to Schwarber is up to Nick Krall, Brad Meador, Bob Castellini, and the Reds ownership group.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that the team isn't pressuring Schwarber for an answer, but at some point, they need him to make a decision. “I want those guys (Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto) to know how much we respect them, how much we would like to have them back, all that," Dombrowski said. "But there’s a time frame, too...And I think we’re prepared to shift if we need to.”

Many experts and pundits believe Schwarber could make a decision as soon as this week at the Winter Meetings, and the Reds fanbase is waiting with bated breath. Signing Schwarber would immediately put the Reds at the head of the table in the NL Central heading into 2026, and turn them into a real threat for the National League pennant.