Phillies' Kyle Schwarber receives $35 million free agent prediction

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies' Kyle Schwarber receives $35 million free agent prediction image

(Kyle Ross)

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the middle of an incredible 2025 season so far. While Zack Wheeler's absence stings, the team has been one of the best in baseball, even without their veteran ace.

A huge reason why the Phillies are so good this season is thanks to the heroics and prolific offense of Kyle Schwarber. In the final year of his contract, Schwarber has been having his best season at the plate in his career.

But, with free agency coming in the offseason, there is a lot of concern among Phillies fans that he could depart in the offseason. Paul Hembekides and Buster Olney of ESPN recently made a new prediction for Schwarber in free agency, and it's a big one.

Schwarber Predicted to Land $35 Million APY Contract

While teams around baseball might not offer Schwarber a long-term deal, since the slugger is already 32 years old, he'll still land an impressive deal in the offseason. Both Hembekides and Olney predict it'll be north of $31.5 million per year, and Olney specifically predicts that the Phillies DH will land a deal of $35 million per year.

"I do think that there might be a sweep spot in there," Olney said, "if he finishes strongly, and the moment coming off the year, and with as popular as Schwarber is, and he's a plus in the clubhouse; it maybe talks the Phillies into $35 million a year."

Schwarber is in the middle of an incredible offensive season, as he has a .934 OPS with a 151 OPS+, both the best marks of his 11-year MLB career so far.

He also has 128 hits, 96 runs scored, 20 doubles, two triples, 49 home runs (which leads the National League), 119 RBIs (which leads all of MLB), 10 stolen bases, 93 walks, and 4.3 WAR (the highest of his career).

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He's in the middle of his best season offensively, and he will likely see a large deal in free agency this winter. Olney predicts that Schwabber will land a deal of $35 million per year, which would likely span three seasons.

The Phillies have expressed their desire to keep Schwarber in Philadelphia, and with the potential for Nick Castellanos' $20 million to partially come off the books in 2026, or at least will be completely gone in 2027, there's even more reason to keep Schwarber on a big deal.

Not only has Schwarber been a great hitter, but he's also been integral to the team's chemistry and is beloved by the Phillies fanbase. Every team that's let him walk has regretted the decision, whether it was the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, or the Washington Nationals.

The Phillies can't make the same mistake those teams did, especially amid a window of contention like they are now. Olney predicts Schwarber will get $35 million per year, and it's a deal that John Middleton should have no problem agreeing to, as Schwarber has been a huge reason why the team has been so successful over the last four years.

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Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.