Off He Goes: Kyle Schwarber Reportedly Signing with Nationals (UPDATE)

January 9, 2021, by Brett Taylor Chicago Cubs

If you were holding out hope that, despite the December non-tender, the Cubs might reunite with outfielder Kyle Schwarber, you can pack those hopes up in a dusty trunk.

Schwarber is going to the Nationals:

Source: The Nationals have signed Kyle Schwarber to a one-year deal pending a physical.

— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) January 9, 2021

Schwarber, 27, still has so much unrealized offensive potential as a complete hitter that the thought of him finally breaking out with another club turns my stomach a bit. I can understand the Cubs moving on from the perspective that they wanted to change the lineup, and maybe they don’t see Schwarber’s game changing enough to fit that mold. And, yes, I can also understand that the corner outfield market is loaded with interesting types. And yes, I knew once he was non-tendered, the chance the Cubs actually re-upped with Schwarber was about zero.

But I’m still bummed. More soon.

UPDATE: Schwarber gets the high end of his possible arbitration projection, which, good for him, but also confirms there wasn’t going to be that much trade value given the uncertainty of arbitration this year: