May 6, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) runs the bases after hitting a solo home runagainst the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nathan Ray Seebeck
The four-year/$79 million deal that the Phillies signed Kyle Schwarber to prior to the 2022 campaign has turned out to be one of the most team-friendly contracts in modern MLB history.
Schwarber's next contract — be it with the Phillies or another team — shouldn't be expected to be such a bargain.
Kyle Schwarber just continues to be great. 💣 pic.twitter.com/bHvYtUA4pK
ESPN's Jeff Passan recently penned an article looking at upcoming potential megadeals (H/T Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation). In the story, Passan grouped Schwarber — who is set to become a free agent after this season — into the category of possible $100 million deals:
"A designated hitter who's going to be 33 next Opening Day getting a nine-figure deal? Schwarber is an outlier in so many other respects, so why not here, too? He is terminally productive. He is an exceptional clubhouse leader. Nobody would blink at giving him $25 million a year, and a four-year ask -- particularly in a class weak on high-end bats -- is eminently reasonable."
Given that Schwarber has played less than 75 innings in left field since the start of the 2024 season — and that the Spring Training storyline of him at first base hasn't materialized in the regular season — he is essentially entrenched as a DH. There will be teams who blink at giving four years to a player with that profile who is entering his age-33 season.
With that said, even without playing in the field, Schwarber at times has felt like the most valuable member of the Phillies over the last couple of seasons. Schwarber has hit .250 with 50 home runs, 134 walks and an .877 OPS in 185 games since the start of the 2024 season. And as Passan mentioned, he's one of the most respected clubhouse figures in the sport. Short of pivoting and giving Kyle Tucker $500+ million in the offseason, it's hard to imagine the Phillies not being a worse team without Schwarber next year.
Last month, we wrote that a three-year/$82 million extension for Schwarber — which would give him a slightly higher average annual value than the $27.27 million Trea Turner got in his deal — would be a fair offer. We'll stick by that projection.
It's clear, though, that the Phillies will likely regret not being more aggressive in trying to extend Schwarber prior to his contract year. Right now, there are two scenarios that could play out. The first is that the Phillies re-sign Schwarber, but it's for much more than it would have cost during Spring Training. The second is that the bidding for Schwarber gets beyond a point that the Phillies are comfortable going to and they lose the heart of their team after the 2025 season.
