The Red Sox weren’t able to reel in the top power hitter on the free-agent market this winter, as DH Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million contract Tuesday afternoon.

Given Schwarber’s history with Boston as a key cog in their 2021 ALCS run — coupled with the Red Sox’ need for more power in the middle of their lineup — it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Boston was linked to the slugger throughout the offseason.

But, speaking to reporters at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Orlando on Tuesday , Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged that he had an inkling that the Red Sox — and several other suitors — weren’t going to get much of a chance to beat out the Phillies in a bidding war.

“I had a pretty good idea that was going to be the route,” Cora said

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