The Philadelphia Phillies, despite interest from a couple of NL Central clubs, were able to re-sign Kyle Schwarber to a long-term extension this winter.
Schwarber signed a five-year, $150 million contract to remain in Philadelphia through the 2030 season as the team's designated hitter and beloved clubhouse leader.
After this contract was handed out, ESPN analyst David Schoenfield handed out a grade for the Phillies' contract with Schwarber, and it was a very high grade, complimented with lofty praise.
Phillies receive lofty praise, grade for Kyle Schwarber $150 million deal
"Let's cut right to it: The Phillies had to re-sign Schwarber." Schoenfield writes. "The Phillies still have some holes to address... But Schwarbs is back. And that makes the Phillies World Series contenders once again."
This praise for the Phillies in re-signing Schwarber was given out alongside an "A" grade from Schoenfield. While the $150 million contract over five years is a lot for a 33-year-old designated hitter, Schwarber is worth it.
He's a core part of the Phillies clubhouse and has become a beloved player in the city. Losing Schwarber would've been a massive blow, and the Phillies avoided such a disastrous scenario.
More: Phillies get good news on Tatsuya Imai's free agency interest
Sure, singing him to a shorter-term deal like what the Pittsburgh Pirates offered - four years for $120 - might've been a more reasonable contract to offer, but the Phillies had to make this contract offer to Schwarber.
Not only because they needed to leave no doubt over whether he could return or not, but also because the Baltimore Orioles reportedly matched this offer from the Phillies.
If the Phillies lost Schwarber to the Orioles on a deal they could've matched, it would've been a huge miss for the front office. But the veteran designated hitter is back, and will be the spark the Phillies need to make another deep postseason run in 2026 and beyond.
More Phillies news:
- Phillies 'more likely than ever' to trade disgruntled $100 million All-Star
- Phillies receiving trade interest from Mariners on $7.5 million lefty reliever
- Phillies offseason rumor spells bad news for Alec Bohm's future in Philadelphia
- Phillies predicted to replace Ranger Suarez with in-house righty
- Rangers' JT Realmuto free agent rumor is good news for Phillies