The Phillies completed one major deal in spring training last season, signing Zack Wheeler to a new three-year contract. Could Kyle Schwarber be next?
Schwarber told Sports Talk Philly’s Kyle Odegard at the WM Open Pro-Am golf event in Scottsdale, Arizona, that he would like to stay in Philadelphia after 2025.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time,” Schwarber told Odegard. “I was with the Cubs for how many years, and then I signed a one-year contract with Washington. Being here now feels like home. I’d like to keep it continuing for as long as I can. We hope to win numerous World Series in the coming years.”
Schwarber also stated that there is “interest” on his side.
We’ll see if there is.
They are interested. “We’ll go from there.”
Schwarber’s interest in negotiating a contract extension is a significant development for the Phillies, who risk losing their second-best hitter and clubhouse leader after this season. Schwarber has blasted 131 home runs over his three seasons with the Phillies. Only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have homered more than Schwarber since the start of the 2022 season.
His finest season at the plate was in 2024. He raised his hitting average from.197 in 2023 to.248, raised his OPS versus lefties from.758 to.898, and led the National League in walks with 106. He traded some power for greater contact and a higher on-base percentage, resulting in a more balanced season.
His best characteristics,
His strongest characteristics, power mixed with patience and the ability to grow, should serve him well as he spends the rest of his career as a primarily full-time DH. If he does not sign an extension, his skills will earn him money on the free market. The Texas Rangers signed Joc Pederson, a power-hitting DH who almost exclusively plays against righties, for two years and $37 million.
If Schwarber has another great season with the Phillies, he may be able to pursue double that amount in terms of years and cash if he becomes a free agent. Maybe the Phillies and Schwarber could meet in the middle for a shorter-term contract with a greater average annual value than the $19.75 million he received from the Phillies prior
prior to the 2022 season.
It will be hard to envision the Phillies passing up on the chance to extend Schwarber this spring. Whether a deal gets done or not, it’s a very good sign for the team that Schwarber seems interested in staying with the Phillies for the long run
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