Kyle Schwarber, one of the free agents, one of the heroes of the 2016 World Series title for the Chicago Cubs, has agreed a one-year deal with the Washington nationals, it was announced Saturday.
A source told ESPN’s Jeff Passan the deal is $ 10 million.
Schwarber was not tendered on Dec. 3, becoming a free agent after six seasons with the Cubs. The 27-year-old camper was in his final year of refereeing, but the Puppies let him go after scoring just 188 with 11 homers in 59 games during the pandemic-reduced 2020 season.
Schwarber said a “big factor” in his incorporation into the nationals was meeting with manager Davey Martinez, who coached the Cubs from 2015 to 2017.
“Once I felt they had interest, it was definitely something I wanted to pursue,” Schwarber said Saturday. “I was willing to say yes right away. I feel honored to be here.
“I love [Martinez] to die. I am very excited to play for this guy. He just wants to win. “
Schwarber meets two needs that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo set out for the offseason: a corner camper and a power hitter to help protect National League gown champion Juan Soto in training.
Unless the designated high school rule returns to the National League in 2021, it looks likely Schwarber could start on the left field, with Soto sliding from that spot to the right field, where he saw some time at the end of the season. last season.
“I’m ready to go in and win another World Series with these guys,” Schwarber said. “I don’t have a hard feeling. I’m excited to do new chapters here … I never think a change of scenery is bad. I would have loved to have stayed in Chicago, but it’s not there.”
I can’t wait to get to spring and get to the pier with the guys! Let’s do this! https://t.co/L2yoPsUpqT
– Kyle Schwarber (@ kschwarb12) January 9, 2021
Schwarber hit .230 with 121 homers in 551 regular-season games with the Cubs, but will be remembered for his postseason performances, during which he compiled a .981 OPS in 24 games.
He hit .412 in five games as the Cubs ’designated hitter in the 2016 World Series, which Chicago won in seven games against the Cleveland Indians. This came after losing all but two games of the 2016 regular season, and the following playoff rounds, due to a knee injury.
“It simply came to our notice then [have] a special place in my heart, especially for 2016 and for what we did there, “Schwarber said of his time in Chicago.” And for me, personally, with the injury, to be able to get in there and help those guys. “
Manager Joe Maddon made him the Cubs ’first hitter the following year, after Dexter Fowler left through a free agency. Schwarber failed in that role, reaching 0.190 with a base percentage of 0.312 before spending time with the minors. He bounced back with 64 homers over the next two seasons, with 38 homers and 92 runs in 2019.
This is Rizzo’s second significant attempt to boost national formation, after making a trade to acquire first baseman Josh Bell, a 2019 All-Star NL, from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Like Schwarber, Bell, 28, had a career year in 2019: 37 homers, 116 RBI, 0.936 OPS and fell in 2020. Bell had a batting average of .226 and .669 OPS last season .
Schwarber was the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.