Photo: D. Benjamin Miller
Imagine, if you will, a woman wearing ruby red slippers with magical powers. Imagine that woman is also a huge Cincinnati Reds fan. “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. Kyle Schwarber, there’s no play like home!” For many, that’s the kind of magic it’s going to take for Cincinnati to bring the local slugger back home to play for the Reds. They have never spent like they would need to in free agency to sign him. And yet everyone in the media – the real media, not your podcaster of the week – continues to talk about how Cincinnati is still making a push to bring him in and sign him.
The most recent entry isn’t quite the same report, but more of a “this makes so much sense” rant from MLB Network’s Steve Phillips. He was asked if Schwarber could wind up somewhere other than Philadelphia. “I think this is the time and place for the Cincinnati Reds,” Phillips said. “If it takes the 5th year, give it to him. You’re never going to be in a better position than this time and moment and this place to have a window to win.”
“This is a no brainer.” he would later add. And it really does feel like he’s right. You know, I know, the lady that lives down the street from you knows. Everyone knows it – the Reds need a legitimate hitter in the middle of their lineup. Kyle Schwarber is that kind of guy. He led the National League with 56 home runs. He led Major League Baseball with 132 runs batted in.
The Reds only had one player with an OPS of .750 among their every day players who had 450 plate appearances or more in 2025. They only had two players hit more than 15 home runs despite playing in one of the league’s most home run friendly ballparks. They only had one player hit 30 doubles (who also happened to be one of the guys with more than 15 home runs).
The quote from Andrew Friedman is nearly a decade old now, but it still seems to hold true. “If you’re always rational about every free agent, you will finish third on every free agent.”
It’s very rare that you hear the name Cincinnati Reds and a big free agent. But you are hearing it right now. You can’t be rational and stare at the excel spreadsheet that says “this player is worth this much” and refuse to go over that number. Sometimes you have to pay the price. Things cost what they cost and if you actually want it, you have to buy it at that price.
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