The Red Sox weren’t able to reel in the top power hitter on the free-agent market this winter, as DH Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million contract Tuesday afternoon.
Given Schwarber’s history with Boston as a key cog in their 2021 ALCS run — coupled with the Red Sox’ need for more power in the middle of their lineup — it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Boston was linked to the slugger throughout the offseason.
But, speaking to reporters at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Orlando on Tuesday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged that he had an inkling that the Red Sox — and several other suitors — weren’t going to get much of a chance to beat out the Phillies in a bidding war.