Cincinnati Reds fans are begging the team’s ownership to make an offer to Middletown native Kyle Schwarber. Last season, the Reds ranked among the bottom-third in the league in both home runs and slugging percentage; an area Schwarber could fix almost instantly. Schwarber’s already dropped several hints about a return to his hometown. So what’s the hold up?

As any logical Reds fan knows, the chances of Schwarber signing a contract with Cincinnati this offseason is as likely as a double scoop of Graeter’s black raspberry chip ice cream surviving more than five minutes during the sweltering heat of an Ohio Valley summer. Why? Because Bob Castellini and the Reds ownership group are as tight-fisted as they come.

Even though inking Schwarber to a free agent deal would immediately boost ticket sales and turn the Reds into a legitimate contender for the NL Central crown in 2026, it just seems like a pipe dream, doesn’t it?

Reds chances to make an offer to Kyle Schwarber increase after Phillies contract talks cool

Though a deal with the Reds seems unlikely, recent reporting from Philadelphia Phillies insider Todd Zolecki at least provides a glimmer of hope to those fans still clinging to the idea of a Schwarber homecoming. According to the MLB.com beat writer, the Phillies and Schwarber “are not close to a deal”.

It’s still incredibly early in the offseason — the MLB Winter Meetings haven’t even begun — but that’s a significant development. The Phillies are one of the sport’s biggest spenders year in and year out, but re-signing Schwarber when the team has a lot of other needs isn’t the type of slam dunk that many fans think it is.

Bryce Harper isn’t getting any younger, and though he’s made the adjustment to playing first base, one has to wonder if Philadelphia eventually plans to move the two-time MVP into a DH-only role. Having Schwarber under contract for another four-plus seasons would certainly make that type of move complicated.

The Phillies also have a boatload of bloated salaries already on the books. In addition to Harper, Philadelphia has Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler all under contract through at least 2027 while making at least $24 million. Those four players alone will account for $120 million of Philly’s payroll next season.

If they can’t offload Nick Castellanos this offseason, he’ll cost the Phillies an additional $20 million in 2026, and Tijuan Walker is owed $18 million. That pushes Philly’s number to nearly $160 million and doesn’t even take into account the increased salaries of Alec Bohm, Jesús Luzardo, and Jhoan Duran — all of whom are likely to make at least $8 million.

Obviously the Reds and Phillies won’t be Schwarber’s only suitors this offseason, and it’s debatable as to whether or not Cincinnati is even in the mix. Still, given Philadelphia’s salary commitments for the 2026 season and beyond, the Reds have an opportunity to steal Schwarber this winter if they make a competitive offer. In order to do so, however, the Reds’ ownership will have to do something they rarely do…spend money.