The Philadelphia Phillies face a major challenge heading into their postseason push, with Zack Wheeler sidelined and Trea Turner only just returning from the injured list. Even so, the roster remains strong enough to make a legitimate run at the World Series.
A big part of Philadelphia’s championship outlook comes from the bat of designated hitter. Now in his fourth season with the club, top star has elevated his game to MVP-caliber levels, setting new career highs in both home runs and OPS while serving as a driving force behind the Phillies’ offense.
However, Schwarber is set to hit free agency after the season, and given his stellar performance, retaining him won’t come cheap. Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report projects that Philadelphia will ultimately bring him back, though it may require a contract approaching a record-setting price tag.
Kyle Schwarber’s free agency is shaping up to be one of the biggest storylines of the Phillies’ offseason. While most expect him to command something in the $25–30 million per year range on a three- or four-year contract, there’s a chance he could land a much larger, longer deal.
Earlier this month, ESPN polled 20 MLB insiders on Schwarber’s potential market value. While the majority projected a shorter-term, high-AAV contract, two insiders went bold, predicting a deal north of $200 million. Such a contract would be unprecedented for a designated hitter, particularly one of Schwarber’s age, but it underscores just how impactful his bat has been. Beaston of Bleacher Report even predicts Philadelphia will step up with a near-record deal to ensure Schwarber stays.
The numbers back up that kind of hype. Schwarber has been the Phillies’ most dominant hitter this season and arguably the top slugger in the National League. He not only leads the team in home runs and RBIs but also sits atop the NL in both categories, pacing the league with 56 homers and 132 RBIs. His full line—145 hits, 110 runs scored, a .246 batting average, .370 OBP, .576 slugging percentage, and a career-best .946 OPS—paints the picture of a player at the peak of his power.
For the Phillies, keeping Schwarber should be priority number one. His production at the top of the lineup is irreplaceable, and losing him this winter would be a crushing blow to both the roster and the fan base, regardless of how the postseason plays out. Philadelphia does have some financial wiggle room, with Nick Castellanos’s $20 million 2026 salary potentially movable and Taijuan Walker’s deal nearing its end.
Beaston’s $200 million projection may be aggressive, but if Schwarber keeps hitting deep into October and helps carry the Phillies to a World Series crown, the price tag could climb even higher than many anticipate. It may not be the most likely outcome, but it’s a scenario worth watching as the 2025 season winds down.