Call this story the worst-case scenario for the Boston Red Sox. It’s no secret chief baseball officer Craig Breslow wants to add a power bat to the lineup. The rumor mill continues to link the Red Sox to Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.

The clock has officially hit December, and Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber remains a free agent … for now. Of all the premier free agent hitters on the open market, Schwarber is the one about whom we’ve seemingly heard the most credible reports over the last month, especially ahead of next week’s Winter Meetings.

The Philadelphia Phillies need to stay on top of the Kyle Schwarber sweepstakes because the Cincinnati Reds are a potential fit.