The Philadelphia Phillies are once again at the top of the NL East after winning the division last season. The team is hopeful to return to the World Series for the first time since 2022, when they lost to the Astros. However, one lingering concern is re-signing Kyle Schwarber. Bryce Harper admitted in May that losing Schwarber would feel strange.
“I was talking to somebody the other day,” Harper told MLB.com. “And I was like, ‘Man, it would be weird not to have [Schwarber] in our clubhouse.’ He’s such a good leader. He’s such a good person in the community. Great family, great person. I think he’s a guy that obviously our team can build around. Obviously, he’s going to make a lot of money [as a free agent]. He’s going to be a very hot commodity on the market. He’s a guy that hits homers. He’s a great clubhouse guy and a leader. I hope he doesn’t get [to free agency]. He’s a guy that we can use for the next few years.”
Schwarber is making it tough on the Phillies, as he is having a career year.
“His career year has been amazing to watch but is also making it increasingly difficult for the Phillies to retain him, as he's set to be a free agent after 2025,” TBOH’s Matt Davis wrote.
The projected price tag for Schwarber’s next contract has been revealed, and it won’t come cheap for the Phillies.
“While Teoscar Hernandez of Los Angeles is mentioned, it seems likely that Schwarber should blow past that $66 million deal he signed. At 32 years old, approaching $100 million for his next deal should likely be closer to the correct number,” SI’s Nick Ziegler wrote.
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The Phillies will do everything in their power to re-sign Schwarber, but they could very well be outbid by a team in urgent need of a DH. While the Phillies expected big things from Schwarber when they signed him, they probably didn’t anticipate this surge. This upcoming offseason promises to be highly competitive for Schwarber, who is poised to cash in.