Kyle Schwarber Joins Nationals on 1-Year Deal

Photo by Nicholas T Loverde/CSM/Shutterstock (10328032af). Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) in action during the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Slugging corner outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who left the Cubs after six seasons in the Windy City after not being tendered a contract this offseason, has signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Washington Nationals.

The 2019 World Series champions, who failed to make the playoffs in the 2020 season, picked up Schwarber to fill a hole in left field that was left by the departure of long-time starter Adam Eaton.

Schwarber had a career season in 2019 but was let go after a poor 2020 in which he failed to produce offensively, which is his normally calling card. The Ohio native batted just .188 white hitting 11 home runs, regressing after his 38 home run, 92 RBI effort the year before in which he hit .250.

The Nationals will look for Schwarber to play passable defense and return to the hot-hitting prowess he displayed as a cornerstone of the Cubs’ offense over the past several seasons. Despite a bad 2020, there are signs that many of his struggles last season were related to bad luck and that he should return to being a productive player next year.

Schwarber is expected to report for Nationals Spring Training in late February to solidify his starting job.