Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber is entering free agency after the best season of his career, and he should get rewarded with a nine-figure contract.
The Phillies fell short in the postseason again, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. LA ultimately won the World Series.
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Now, Philadelphia’s front office is facing some tough decisions about the future of the franchise. One of their core players, Schwarber, could end up leaving his team of four years, depending on how free agency plays out.
Last season, the lefty hit 56 home runs and drove in 132 runs during the regular season. His batting splits were .240/.365/.563, showing how offensive he was for power during the season. It was a season valued at 4.7 bWAR, according to Baseball Reference, and should have him finish with some MVP votes.
His performance came at a perfect time, especially since he is 32 years old; there could have been concerns about a decline that would have lowered his value and a team’s willingness to offer a multi-year deal, but his spike in performance should make teams comfortable about paying him long-term money.
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According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Schwarber could end up with a deal worth around four years and $140 million, which would translate to approximately $35 million per season.
Among the contenders for his signature are his former teams — the Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago Cubs, all of whom have witnessed his value as a designated hitter.
“Some teams don’t need a DH, but teams do love Schwarber, whose 56 home runs in 2025 plays. That includes the incumbent Phillies, his old (briefly) Red Sox and presumably his original Cubs,” Heyman wrote.
Most teams could use a hitter like Schwarber in the lineup, especially considering how valuable slugging has become in the modern era.
Still, he is limited to a DH spot due to his limited mobility, which stops him from playing in the corner outfield.
Additionally, despite playing 11 seasons, he has only 37 stolen bases, limiting his impact on the basepaths. He won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but those who do like his game will end up shelling out a good chunk of change.
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