When Kyle Schwarber stepped to the plate at Fenway Park on Tuesday night, he did what he's been doing all season: launched another home run. This time, it was his fifth straight game with a dinger, a feat that only reminded Boston fans of what could have been.

The Red Sox entered last offseason desperately needing a power bat after trading Rafael Devers. Two of the game's premier sluggers—Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber—were available in free agency. Boston's pursuit of both, however, was underwhelming at best.

Schwarber, who was a fan favorite during his brief 2021 stint in Boston, revealed that the Red Sox never even made him a formal offer. "We had the phone call, the Zoom, whatever it is," Schwarber told The Boston Globe. "There was a conversation. [The Sox' pursuit] kind of just started and ended with the conversation."

While most expected the reigning National League home run and RBI champion to return to the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston could have at least tested the waters. Even the usually frugal Pittsburgh Pirates made Schwarber a serious offer. The Red Sox? They didn't even try to drive up the price.

The missed opportunity has been glaring. Boston's offense ranks 29th in home runs and slugging percentage through Wednesday's games. Meanwhile, Schwarber has matched the Red Sox' win total with 17 home runs of his own. A lineup featuring his elite power at Fenway Park—where he's historically thrived—could have changed the trajectory of their season.

For a team in need of a spark, letting Schwarber walk without a fight is a tough pill to swallow. Sometimes, the best moves are the ones you make—and the Red Sox simply didn't make one here.