There have been rumors all afternoon, and obviously it’s been on the table since the pandemic combined with a really down 2020 season, but I’m still a little stunned to see it.
The Cubs are non-tendering Kyle Schwarber tonight, making him a free agent:
The Cubs haven't announced it officially yet, but per a source, Kyle Schwarber has been informed he won't be tendered a contract for 2021. He's a free agent after 6 years with the team. Was set to make in the neighborhood of 8+ mil in arb.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 3, 2020
Source: Schwarber non-tendered.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) December 3, 2020
The Cubs other tender decisions are here.
With a projected arbitration salary around $8-10 million, you could say this decision was about the Cubs feeling desperate to save $10 million, or about the Cubs thinking Schwarber won’t see that much in free agency, or about the Cubs just wanting to move on from Schwarber, specifically. It’s probably some combination of all three, but I still believe in that bat, so it’s hard – in this moment – not to feel like it’s mostly door number one. I guess we’ll see what happens going forward, which will fill out the story quite a bit more. Like, if the Cubs go out and try to sign Eddie Rosario to a similar deal, then you’ll know they mostly just wanted to swap the type of bat. If they don’t do something like that and Schwarber gets PAID elsewhere, well, then …
There will be much more to say in the coming days, both about Schwarber’s legacy with the Cubs and how free agency will play out. It’s just kind of weird at the moment, because while I knew a non-tender was on the table, you could tell from my writing earlier in the week that I wasn’t quite expecting this. It’s still possible the Cubs could try to re-sign Schwarber to a deal this offseason, but usually in these situations, it’s a true parting of ways.
If you want to hold out hope for a reunion:
Cubs not ruling out possibility of bringing back Schwarber on extension (discussions ongoing). https://t.co/cBcD8QkrLy
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) December 3, 2020
But sometimes that’s just a thing you say in these moments. More later. Man.
People forget about Kyle Schwarber’s unbelievable 2016 comeback:
• Plays 2 games
• Tears ACL & LCL
• Surgery
• Rehabs
• Out 5 months
• Goes to the Arizona Fall League
• Returns for the WS
• Bats .412/.500/.471 w/ 2 RBI, 3 BB, & 1 SB
• Wins WSpic.twitter.com/F7HmZzTvrG— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) December 2, 2020
