Red Sox Linked to Reunion With Projected $160 Million All-Star Slugger
Among the many moves the Boston Red Sox will have to consider this winter, finding a long-term first baseman is one of the top priorities. It will be interesting to see what the Red Sox decide to do with Triston Casas returning from injury. However, after reports last offseason suggested they could move on from him, Casas doesn’t seem to have a clear place to play in the lineup.
When it comes to free agents, there aren’t many first basemen available. Pete Alonso stands out as the top option in free agency. Another possibility for the Red Sox is to move Kyle Schwarber to first base—a move that many fans and analysts support.
Daniel Fox of FanSided has linked the Red Sox to a reunion with Schwarber, highlighting the slugger’s power and potential fit. Fox wrote, “It’s hard to find a better fit for your power deficiency than a guy who has nearly 47 home runs in the last four seasons. Since signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, Schwarber has become one of the most dangerous hitters in all of baseball, combining world-class power with an elite eye and helping the Phillies reach the postseason in each season.”
One appealing aspect of Schwarber is his performance against left-handed pitchers. In 2025, he posted a higher slugging percentage against lefties than right-handers, which contrasts with the left-handed hitters currently on the Red Sox roster.
Fox also noted, “While Casas has had his moments, injuries have prevented him from coming close to replicating Schwarber’s production. He surely hasn’t proven enough to prevent the Red Sox from a reunion with the former fan favorite.”
### Would Kyle Schwarber Move to First Base?
Asking Schwarber to play first base at this stage in his career might be a bit uncertain, given his age and below-average defense. However, if he wants to maximize his earnings, it is likely that he will need to play a position regularly. Teams generally hesitate to sign a designated hitter to a deal worth $150 million or more.
### Red Sox Will Need to Pay Up for Kyle Schwarber
Getting a big contract shouldn’t be an issue for Schwarber, even if it comes from the Boston Red Sox. Jim Bowden, who has Schwarber listed as a designated hitter and the second-best player available this winter, predicted that he could land a five-year, $160 million deal.
Bowden wrote, “In addition to being one of the premier power hitters in the game, Schwarber is highly valued around the league for his clubhouse presence. Although he’s basically limited to the DH position, Schwarber offers consistency—he hit 56 home runs this year and has hit 40 homers or more in three of the last four years. He also demonstrates durability, having played in 150 or more games each of the last four years, including 162 this year.”
He added, “Every team except the Dodgers and Yankees should want him to be its DH. Although the Phillies will make every effort to re-sign him, it will be fascinating to see what offers Schwarber gets on the open market for his special power bat and ability to mentor younger players.”
**Contract prediction:** 5 years, $160 million.
While $160 million for a first baseman wouldn’t be unreasonable, committing that amount to a designated hitter would be more questionable for the Boston Red Sox.
https://heavy.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox/linked-160m-all-star-slugger/
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