Letting Kyle Schwarber Go Keeps Looking Worse For The Cubs

There have been a lot of poor decisions made by the Cubs’ front office over the years. It’s why they’ve missed the postseason the last three seasons in a row. One of those decisions that has set the Cubs back is non-tendering Kyle Schwarber after the 2020 season. Since making Schwarber a free agent, the North Siders have had yet to find a consistent power threat. Meanwhile, since leaving Chicago, Kyle Schwarber has had a lot of success. Chicago’s decision to make Kyle Schwarber a free agent continues to make the team look bad.

The Cubs Stupid Decision To Non-Tender Kyle Schwarber

Kyle Schwarber spent the first six years of his career with the Chicago Cubs. He was a part of the 2016 team that won the World Series as well. However, after the 2020 season, the Cubs decided to non-tender Kyle Schwarber making him a free agent. That year, Schwarber only had a slash line of .188/.398/.393 and was a below-average hitter. However, he did crack 11 home runs and 24 RBI during the COVID-shortened year. It wouldn’t take long for the team to immediately regret their decision.

The Cubs Decision Badly Backfired On Them Immediately

That offseason, Kyle Schwarber signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals with mutual option as well. Once the season began, Chicago’s decision to let Kyle Schwarber leave immediately backfired on them. During his time in Washington, Schwarber had a slash line of .253/.340/.570 with 25 homers, 53 RBI, and a .910. His 16 home runs in June would be the second-greatest number of homers hit during the month in baseball history. He even became an all-star for the first time in his career.

After having a successful first half of the 2021 season, the Nationals traded him to the Boston Red Sox. With Boston, Kyle Schwarber proved that his all-star selection was no fluke. He put up a slash line of .291/.435/.522 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, and a .957 OPS. Schwarber’s success would be a big reason why the Red Sox went on a surprise run to the ALCS in 2021.

Kyle Schwarber Has Been A Big Part Of The Phillies Recent Success

Once the season concluded, Schwarber declined his mutual option and became a free agent. He would parlay his successful 2021 season into a four-year, $79 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Since arriving in the city of Brotherly Love, the 31-year-old outfielder and designated hitter has been a big part of Philadelphia’s success in recent years. In almost three seasons with the Phillies, Schwarber had put up a slash line of .220/.345/.488 with 126 homers, 290 RBI, and a .833 OPS. He and Bryce Harper have teamed up to form a very lethal middle part of the lineup. Since his arrival, the Phillies have gone on deep postseason runs every season which includes a World Series appearance.

The Chicago Cubs Have Been Floundering Ever Since

Since letting Kyle Schwarber go, nothing has gone right for the Chicago Cubs. Chicago has yet to find a long-term consistent home run threat. While Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, Patrick Wisdom, Christopher Morel, Willson Contreras, Seiya Suzuki, and Dansby Swanson have all tried; none of them have been able to equal or replace the power that Schwarber brought to the lineup. Making matters worse, the Cubs haven’t been to the postseason since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The team is currently on pace to miss the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. Had COVID-19 not happened, Chicago’s postseason drought would probably be even longer.

Non-Tendering Kyle Schwarber Keeps Making The Cubs Look Bad

The Chicago Cubs’ decision to non-tender Kyle Schwarber is going to continue to haunt the franchise. Katy Perry’s 2010 hit “The One That Got Way” can best sum up the Cubs’ regret in letting him go. While Schwarber has had a lot of success and helped two different teams reach the postseason, the North Siders have floundered ever since. Since Schwarber left, Chicago hasn’t had a consistent power threat and they are about to miss the postseason a fourth consecutive year. While the current Phillies sluggers’ success continues and the Cubs still struggle, Chicago can only look back and wish they didn’t let Kyle Schwarber leave.

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