Nationals agree to terms with outfielder Kyle Schwarber

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with outfielder Kyle Schwarber on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Schwarber, 27, joins the Nationals after six Major League seasons as a member of the Chicago Cubs. During that time, he became just the third Cubs left-handed hitter to record multiple 30-homer campaigns (2017, 2019), joining Hall of Famer Billy Williams and Anthony Rizzo. Schwarber's 105 home runs since the start of the 2017 season rank sixth among left-handed batters in Major League Baseball.

In 2020, Schwarber led the Cubs and ranked sixth among Major League left-handed hitters (15th in all of MLB) in exit velocity (92.8), according to MLB Statcast. He tied for the team lead with 30 walks, while his 11 home runs were tied for second on the club. Schwarber appeared in 59 of the 60 games, making 48 starts in left field and nine as Chicago's designated hitter. He did not commit an error in 73 total chances in left field.

Schwarber set career marks in 2019 with 29 doubles, 38 home runs and 92 RBI in 155 games. His 38 home runs were the second-most in a single season by a left-handed hitter in Cubs franchise history behind Billy Williams (42 in 1970). Schwarber's 20 home runs after the All-Star break paced National League left-handed hitters and ranked tied for fourth in the National League overall. He led National League left fielders with seven outfield assists and recorded a .974 fielding percentage in 140 games in left field.

Schwarber has appeared in 24 career Postseason games, including five games of the 2016 World Series in which he came back from a severe knee injury he sustained earlier in the season to help the Cubs top the Cleveland Indians. Schwarber has hit .288 with one double, six homers, 11 RBI, 13 walks and 10 runs scored in 79 career plate appearances in the Postseason.

Since 2017, Schwarber has recorded 28 outfield assists, tied for the second-most among Major League left fielders with Alex Gordon and behind Andrew Benintendi (29). Schwarber recorded 11 outfield assists in 2018, tied with Benintendi for the most among Major League left fielders.

Schwarber participated in the 2018 Home Run Derby at Nationals Park. He advanced to the finals where he lost to Bryce Harper, 19-18.

In 551 Major League games spanning six seasons, Schwarber has hit .230 with a .336 on-base percentage and a .480 slugging percentage. He's clubbed 71 doubles, eight triples, 121 home runs, 279 RBI, 274 walks and 295 runs scored along the way.

The Nationals now have 35 players on their 40-man roster.