Phillies Receive Discouraging Update on Kyle Schwarber’s Free-Agency Return
The Philadelphia Phillies may be in danger of losing Kyle Schwarber in free agency.
Schwarber has completed the four-year, $79 million contract he signed with Philadelphia and enters the offseason as one of the most sought-after hitters on the market. Several teams are pursuing the slugger, and he recently delivered news that may not sit well with Phillies fans.
During an appearance in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, Schwarber said he is considering spending more time closer to home and has been in discussions with the Cincinnati Reds.
“I grew up coming to games here,” Schwarber said. “I was always in the bleachers watching. So of course the kid in you gets excited when your hometown team calls. But once you’re in this profession, you know you have to keep your options open. We’ll see what happens.”
His comments suggest real interest from the Reds and that Schwarber is open to the idea of returning home.
Schwarber is coming off a strong season in Philadelphia, where he hit .240 with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs. A three-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner, he remains one of the league’s most impactful power hitters.
Projected Contract on the Market
Schwarber is expected to receive a major contract this offseason. ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel ranks him as the eighth-best free agent available and projects a four-year, $128 million deal.
Industry expectations reportedly fall in the range of $30 million per year, though the exact length could vary. McDaniel provided possible contract structures:
- 3 years: $115M
- 4 years: $128M
- 5 years: $135M
Given Schwarber’s age and the fact he has played almost exclusively as a designated hitter the past two seasons, his value will be driven almost entirely by his bat — but his elite power keeps his market strong.
Phillies Have Already Made Their Offer
The Phillies have not given up on keeping Schwarber and have already submitted what they describe as a “competitive offer.”
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed the team’s interest in retaining him.
“Kyle is a tremendous part of what we’ve built,” Dombrowski said. “We made an offer we believe reflects his value — not just his production, but his presence in the clubhouse and in October. The decision is in his hands, and we respect that.”
Philadelphia hopes Schwarber will choose to stay, but the team has made clear it will not engage in a bidding war with itself.
Schwarber, who won a World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, now faces a major decision: return to Philadelphia, or move closer to home in Cincinnati.
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