The Philadelphia Phillies may be in danger of losing Kyle Schwarber in free agency.
Schwarber has completed his four-year, $79 million contract and enters the market as one of the top hitters available. Multiple teams are pursuing him, and his recent comments suggest a return to Philadelphia is far from guaranteed.
While at an event in his hometown of Middleton, Ohio, Schwarber admitted he’d like to be closer to home and revealed he’s been in talks with the Cincinnati Reds.
“I grew up going to games here. I grew up sitting in the bleachers and watching a lot of games, and I think the kid would be excited, right? You have your hometown team calling,” Schwarber said. “But being in the profession and knowing the ins and outs, you always have to listen and keep your options open, and we’ll see what happens.”
His remarks show that the Reds have interest — and that he’s open to the idea of playing for his hometown team.
Schwarber is coming off a huge season, hitting .240 with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs, reaffirming his status as one of baseball’s most dangerous power hitters. He’s a three-time All-Star and a former Silver Slugger winner.
What Schwarber Could Earn in Free Agency
He’s expected to command a major contract. ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel ranks him as the No. 8 free agent on the market and projects a four-year, $128 million deal.
Industry expectations hover around four years at roughly $30 million annually, though McDaniel notes both numbers could climb because of Schwarber’s elite power metrics — including 56 homers, a .323 ISO, and a .414 xwOBA, all career highs.
While his value is somewhat limited by the fact that he’s essentially a full-time DH and nearly 33, McDaniel still predicts offers such as:
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3 years, ~$115M
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4 years, ~$128M
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5 years, ~$135M
He suggests the four-year deal is the most likely outcome.
Phillies Have Already Made an Offer
Philadelphia is trying to retain Schwarber and has already presented him with an extension.
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed the team has put a “competitive offer” on the table.
“Kyle is a tremendous part of what we’ve built here,” Dombrowski said. “We made a competitive offer because we believe in what he brings — on the field, in the clubhouse, in October, and to this team’s identity. The ball is in his court now, and we respect that. We want Kyle here, but we’re not in the business of forcing decisions or bidding against ourselves. Our offer reflects our commitment.”
Schwarber’s decision will likely come down to whether he wants to stay with a contender — or go home to Cincinnati for the next chapter of his career.