Why Kyle Schwarber prevents Phillies from making groundbreaking $115 million trade with Astros

Why Kyle Schwarber prevents Phillies from making groundbreaking $115 million trade with Astros originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies could use some help on offense.

But with the trade deadline still months away, it’s hard to imagine them making an external addition this early in the season.

Likely, the Phillies will bank on their superstars to help end the longest current losing streak (eight) in the Majors. That means Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber must carry the lineup for the foreseeable future.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer noted Wednesday that there is a scenario in which the Houston Astros trade designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez, but there’s one caveat.

“The Phillies have been surprisingly deficient on offense, hitting just .218 and scoring 3.5 runs per game,” Rymer wrote. “Alvarez and Kyle Schwarber couldn’t both DH, however, and neither of them belongs in left field every day.”

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To Rymer’s point, Alvarez or Schwarber are not viable options in left field consistently. Not to mention, Schwarber just signed a five-year, $150 million contract to stay with the Phillies during the offseason.

The Astros owe Alvarez $26.8 million per year through 2028, and you don’t trade for a yearly MVP candidate without ensuring he has a place in the lineup.