The exodus of players from the Chicago Cubs is continuing, as popular slugger Kyle Schwarber, coming off a disappointing 2020 season, has inked a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals guaranteeing him $10 million. The former #4 overall pick of the 2014 draft was a key member of the 2016 Cubs team that ended 108 years of frustration on Chicago’s North Side, delivering the fans a World Championship in a seven-game win over Cleveland.
On that 2016 team, current Nationals manager Dave Martinez was a bench coach for manager Joe Maddon, and Schwarber indicated that relationship with Martinez led him to the nation’s capital. In the 2016 World Series, Schwarber hit .412, playing significant innings after missing the majority of the season with a knee injury.
Under terms of the contract, Schwarber will make $7 million in 2021. If a mutual option between player and team is utilized for 2022, the contract worth would balloon to $11.5 million. If the mutual option is not agreed upon, there is a guaranteed $3 million buyout.