The Philadelphia Phillies are heading into an offseason that could be filled with major changes. This season was another successful one in Philadelphia, but this winter, the front office faces an even tougher task with several key contracts set to expire. The biggest name of them all is Kyle Schwarber, whose outstanding play might have made it difficult for the Phillies to re-sign him.
“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.
All season, it has been clear that Schwarber could be on his way out after the year. His teammate Bryce Harper has even acknowledged how strange it would feel not to have Schwarber in the clubhouse.
“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.”
With free agency looming, Schwarber just received his biggest contract update yet.
“According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the expectation is that Schwarber is seeking a five-year deal close to $30 million annually. That could end up around the $150 million range by the time he puts pen to paper. It's a lot of money to attribute to any slugger, given he'll turn 33 next season,” Davis wrote.
Schwarber is set to cash in as he approaches the latter part of his career. The Phillies will likely do everything they can to keep him in Philadelphia, but the competition will be fierce.
With several teams expected to bid for his services, Schwarber will have significant leverage this winter. He may just be the best bat on the market — and it’s showing.