Warning signs are flashing for the Boston Red Sox. The team is navigating a perilous stretch with a quiet trade deadline, stalled extension talks with star infielder Alex Bregman, and a roster slowly losing the edge it once carried into every series. But amid the uncertainty, a new rumor has stirred just enough buzz to jolt Fenway’s faithful into cautious optimism.

Think back to the 2025 Home Run Derby, when the baseball world witnessed the first-ever swing-off tiebreaker. Under the spotlight, Kyle Schwarber stepped up for the National League and, with three thunderous swings, sent three consecutive balls into orbit, sealing the victory and leaving the crowd in awe. That moment was just a glimpse of Schwarber’s power. With 41 home runs on the season and a .252 batting average, he’s more than just a highlight reel. He’s one of the hottest names in the upcoming offseason market. And according to the latest chatter, the Red Sox might just be his next destination.

“He’s thrived in Boston. He’s thrived almost everywhere that he’s been. And we’re at the point now where he absolutely belongs in the MVP conversation. Schwarber is going to have a huge market … I would expect Philly to be involved. Boston makes a lot of sense as well,” MLB insider Robert Murray said on the new episode of the Fair Territory podcast.

The fit is logical from Boston’s perspective, as they need a power bat and a solution at first base. Schwarber, who had a successful run with the team in 2021, would fill both roles effectively.

With the growing rumors that Bregman-Red Sox extension talks are stalled, the team cannot succeed without a cornerstone. On the contrary, if both Bregman and Schwarber can be secured, the Red Sox’s lineup would be scary.

But the question is, would the Phillies let Schwarber go? They are reportedly willing to do whatever it takes to keep him in Philadelphia, but you can’t completely count the Red Sox out just yet.

The Red Sox are not out of the picture

“Very. Very intrigued,” Alex Cora said when asked about Schwarber’s looming free agency back in July. And honestly, it makes a lot of sense given where the Red Sox are right now. Schwarber might not be an everyday outfielder anymore, especially with Boston’s outfield already stacked, but he’d fit perfectly as a designated hitter and could even cover at first base. It’s worth noting that during his brief stint with the Sox in 2021, he played 10 games at first and handled the role just fine.

In that short stretch with Boston, Schwarber appeared in 41 regular-season games, posting an impressive .291 average with 7 HRs and 18 RBIs. Then came the postseason, where he played 11 games and contributed some timely hits as the Sox battled their way to the ALCS. And, of course, no Red Sox fan will forget Game 3 of that series.

Schwarber’s grand slam was Boston’s third in two games, setting an MLB postseason record and igniting Fenway in a way only October baseball can. However, after declining his mutual option, Schwarber signed with the Phillies a $79 million contract, where he’s continued to produce at a high level. But that doesn’t mean Boston should count itself out. They will just have to be aggressive to have a shot.

If extension talks in Philadelphia stall and Schwarber hits free agency, the Red Sox could very well surprise people. After all, they’ve seen firsthand what Schwarber’s bat can bring to the clubhouse!