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Schwarber: 'I'd be all ears' about new deal with Red Sox

Mary DeCicco / Major League Baseball / Getty

Pending free agent Kyle Schwarber is interested in staying with the Boston Red Sox and is willing to discuss a new deal before free agency begins.

"It'd be pretty stupid not to think about (returning)," Schwarber told Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.

"My team here has been unbelievable. … If they feel like they would like to talk about (a new deal), I'd be all ears. I just think it would be stupid to 'X' someone off for no reason. Especially for a place like this, I'd be all ears."

Schwarber, 28, was excellent for the Red Sox after they acquired him in a July trade with the Washington Nationals. He hit .291/.435/.522 with seven home runs, 10 doubles, and 18 RBIs in 41 regular-season games with Boston.

The numbers were encouraging following Schwarber's down 2020 season (.188/.308/.393) with the Chicago Cubs, after which the Cubs decided not to tender him a contract.

"This is the best version of himself," Red Sox bench coach Will Venable said. "Like every player in this league, he's trying to find a way to be consistent. I think he's found it … I don't think anyone is surprised at him doing this. Certainly not him. This is what he expected."

Schwarber's contract includes an $11.5-million mutual option for 2022, but he's likely to decline it given his production this season. Even if he does, Schwarber is hopeful the Red Sox will offer him a new deal.

"This is definitely a clubhouse that I could see myself wanting to stay in. These guys are amazing," he said. "This is a World Series clubhouse, and I would love to hopefully see if that opportunity comes back."

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