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By Jackson Roberts
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Philadelphia Phillies have had a clear four-year championship window, and it's up to them to prove that window isn't closing.
After losing to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the division series, the Phillies are at a crossroads. Three All-Stars -- Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suárez -- are hitting free agency and would represent major strain on the payroll if they stuck around.
Schwarber, coming off a 56-homer season, is the most notorious slugger entering the open market this winter. The Phillies have constantly professed their love for him and would seem committed to trying for a reunion, but could some other team stand in their way?
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On Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive predicted that the Boston Red Sox would not only challenge the Blue Jays for Schwarber's services, but win the sweepstakes, because of their need for more power to compete in a loaded American League East.
"Looking back, the Red Sox should have never let Schwarber walk after the 2021 season, when he proved he was a perfect fit for the market," Cotillo wrote. "They’ll right that wrong this time and add him as a middle-of-the-order designated hitter with 50-homer potential each and every season.
"It won’t be easy to outbid Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies, but tough decisions are coming for that organization and moving on from Schwarber might have to be one of them."
Schwarber had a fantastic stint with the Red Sox, but it only lasted for 52 games, including the postseason. His four-year, $79 million deal with the Phillies proved to be a huge bargain, and both teams know he will command a much higher figure this time around.
Though the Red Sox haven't been in the business of outbidding the Phillies much over the last five years, their window could just be opening as Philadelphia's is starting to narrow. But how will that affect each ownership group's willingness to spend big on Schwarber?
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