ESPN's Kyle Schwarber free agency update is worrying for Phillies

Matt Sullivan

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ESPN's Kyle Schwarber free agency update is worrying for Phillies image

There is no bigger priority for the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason than bringing designated hitter and 2025 NL MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber back on a long-term deal.

Not only was Schwarber a top hitter in the Majors this season, but he was the core of the team, and is a fan favorite in Philadelphia. Re-signing him is the first thing the Phillies need to do this offseason.

However, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Schwarber's coming back to the Phillies is far from a guarantee. Amid interest from a lot of top contenders and some surprising dark-horses, Schwarber's future might not be in Philadelphia.

Why ESPN's Kyle Schwarber free agency update is a concerning one for the Phillies

"The demand for Schwarber is high, which is no surprise considering he won't get more than a five-year deal because of his age and positional inflexibility as a full-time designated hitter." Passan writes. "Of course, when you hit like Schwarber, neither age nor position matters."

Schwarber's demand being high isn't a surprise, as hitters coming off a 56-home run, 132 RBI season, who were also the MVP runner-up, will always draw a lot of interest on the open market.

But in Schwarber's case, the interested teams are some cause for concern. The Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, and even the Pittsburgh Pirates are all showing strong interest in Schwarber.

More: Phillies linked to Pete Alonso as a Kyle Schwarber replacement

Passan reports that the Phillies slugger is in line for a five-year deal, and one that can reach above $30 million per year. A $150 million-plus contract for Schwarber is very expensive for a designated hitter.

But that might be the floor. As Passan writes, "The contract offers are likely to bump Schwarber's average annual value to more than $30 million per year."

Losing Schwarber, a fan-favorite slugger coming off a career year, is a very real possibility due to the very high demand. If Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies lose Schwarber, there will be a scramble to replace his offense, whether it's through Kyle Tucker or another top free agent or trade target.

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Contributing Writer