Bryce Harper Thought Kyle Schwarber Would Sign with Reds

Phillies star reveals he expected Schwarber to return home to Cincinnati

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper revealed that he thought Kyle Schwarber was going to sign with the Cincinnati Reds in free agency this past offseason. Harper said he "thought it was a done deal" for Schwarber to return home and play in front of his hometown fans, but the slugger ultimately signed a 5-year, $150 million contract with the Phillies instead.

Why it matters

Schwarber's potential signing with the Reds would have been a major homecoming for the Cincinnati native and drastically changed the outlook for both the Reds and Phillies this upcoming season. The Reds ended up signing Eugenio Suarez, who had a monster 2025 season, but missing out on Schwarber was still a disappointment for the team and its fans.

The details

According to the report, the Reds were in the mix to sign Schwarber, who was a free agent this offseason. Harper said he "thought Kyle was going to go to Cincinnati" and that he and Schwarber "kind of messed with him the whole time about him going back home and playing in front of his fan base." Ultimately, Schwarber signed with the Phillies, while the Reds signed Suarez, who had 49 home runs and 118 RBIs last year.

  • In early to mid-December, there was hope the Reds could sign Schwarber.
  • Schwarber ultimately signed a 5-year, $150 million contract with the Phillies.

The players

Bryce Harper

An outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kyle Schwarber

A free agent this offseason who ultimately signed with the Phillies, but was also pursued by the Reds.

Eugenio Suarez

A free agent the Reds signed, who had 49 home runs and 118 RBIs last year.

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What they’re saying

“I thought Kyle was going to go to Cincinnati to tell you the truth. I thought it was a done deal going to Cincinnati just because being at home and things like that. Obviously I didn't know. We kind of messed with him the whole time about him going back home and playing in front of his fan base.”

— Bryce Harper (SI.com)

The takeaway

This report highlights how close the Reds came to signing a major free agent in Schwarber, which would have drastically changed the outlook for both the Reds and Phillies this upcoming season. While the Reds ended up signing Suarez, who had a great year, missing out on Schwarber was still a disappointment for the team and its fans.