Kyle Schwarber's homecoming is anything but certain. In fact, it's highly unlikely. The runner-up for the 2025 NL MVP Award this past season will be the top target for a number of teams this offseason, not the least of which is the Cincinnati Reds. If there's one player on the free agent market who could change the fortunes of the Reds going forward, it's Schwarber.
But Cincinnati's tight-fisted ownership group may have already torpedoed any chance of Schwarber playing in his hometown next season. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall has been forthcoming about the team's payroll heading into 2026, and it's to remain flat.