There is no more important offseason decision for the Philadelphia Phillies than what Kyle Schwarber decides to do. Whether he returns to the Phillies or goes elsewhere is the biggest news for Philadelphia this winter.
But, how important is Schwarber to the Phillies, really? According to a report from Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies don't simply view Schwarber highly; they see him as "essential" to the team.
This report from Gelb is noteworthy. Not only does it reveal how the Phillies think of Schwarber, but it's good news for a potential extension.
Kyle Schwarber is 'essential' to Phillies, good news for re-signing odds
"The Phillies are willing to wait," Gelb writes, "they consider Schwarber essential to the entire operation." Gelb also wrote how Schwarber is "valued highly by the Phillies."
Schwarber finished as the NL MVP runner-up to Shohei Ohtani in 2025, as he had his best season as a professional. Now a free agent, there could be a strong market for the superstar designated hitter.
He will be 33 years old at the start of 2026, and in the process of seeking a huge long-term extension, signing him to a big-money deal could be a big risk for any team.
But the Phillies can't afford to lose his bat. He was by far the team's best hitter in 2025, and losing him to free agency would be a disaster. There wouldn't be another option to replace his offensive presence in the lineup.
More: Phillies linked to Pete Alonso as a Kyle Schwarber replacement
As Gelb mentioned, Schwarber is essential for the Phillies. Even though he might cost over $100 million and around $30 million, which is a lot for a designated hitter, keeping Schwarber is the number one priority for the Phillies this winter.
This report from Gelb is some good news for the Phillies' chances of bringing Schwarber back. If they view him as "essential" and value him highly, then there's no reason for the Phillies to fall short of his contract demands.
He played in all 162 games in 2025 with career highs in home runs (56), RBIs (132), hits (145), stolen bases (10), and OPS (.928).
Finding a player with that offensive talent in free agency is impossible if Schwarber departs. Unless Schwarber doesn't want to come back to Philadelphia, the Phillies should have no excuse not to extend him to a long-term deal.
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