Kyle Schwarber was embraced by Boston Red Sox fans from the moment of his arrival before the 2021 trade deadline.
The Sox acquired Schwarber to give their bats a boost before their 2021 ALCS run, and he did just that. He played in the Nationals' outfield in the first half of the season and batted .253/.340/.570 with a .910 OPS over 72 games.
Schwarber's bat played well at Fenway Park and beyond for the Red Sox. He slashed .291/.435/.522 with a .957 OPS over 41 regular season games with Boston. He remained the same player in the postseason — he contributed a homer in each of the Sox's three rounds en route to the ALCS. He was quickly dubbed "Kyle from Waltham," and a fan-favorite was born.
But the Sox let him walk after their ALCS elimination. Sean McAdam of MassLive — and Red Sox fans everywhere — are still pondering that decision.
The Red Sox should've signed Kyle Schwarber long-term after his 2021 success
KYLE SCHWARBER LEADOFF TANK 😳 pic.twitter.com/yJdMJsDINQ
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2024
In the latest installment of his column, McAdam characterizes Boston's miss on signing Schwarber as "a mistake," but more severe words may be necessary. The slugger averages 44 homers a season over his three years in Philadelphia. He's bashed 11 postseason bombs for the Phillies, including the one he hit to open their scoring against their arch-rival Mets in the NLDS.
Not only would Schwarber's power be well-suited to the dimensions of Fenway Park, but he still manages to get on base at a high clip despite a lower-end batting average and high strikeout totals. His 106 walks led the National League in 2024, and he owns a 99th-percentile walk rate in both of his last two seasons.
The 2024 Red Sox lacked power and consistent offense, which is part of what buried them in the second half. Had Boston signed Schwarber long-term, he could've given them a much-needed power surge and served as its everyday designated hitter without issue. Based on fans' reception of Schwarber in 2021, he could've been a star and a favorite in the Sox's lineup for years.