There’s little doubt that Kyle Schwarber, currently in the final year of his contract, will draw significant interest across the league when the 2025 season ends. The Philadelphia Phillies risk losing one of their most powerful hitters in recent memory and could find themselves competing with nearly every other team for his services.
The Phillies have reportedly discussed a contract extension with Schwarber, but negotiations haven’t advanced. A deal could still be reached, possibly after the season. However, the mere idea of the Braves being in the mix is unsettling for Phillies fans.
The possibility of Schwarber landing in Atlanta is particularly unnerving. Before Aaron Nola re-signed with Philadelphia ahead of the 2024 season, the Braves had shown interest in him too—clearly not shy about targeting key players from rival teams. The same could be true for Schwarber, whose value on the open market is immense.
Atlanta’s current designated hitter, Marcell Ozuna, is in the final year of his deal and will be 35 in 2026. The Braves may be preparing to move on, and according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, they’d “love to have” Schwarber.
“Schwarber is arguably the best teammate in the game, gets on base nearly 40% of the time, and is always in the home run race,” Bowden writes. “Most teams would be eager to add him if they have room at DH. The Phillies want to keep him long-term and are ready to offer a deal when the time is right, but other teams like the Braves, Reds, Padres, and power-hungry AL Central clubs like the Tigers, Royals, and Guardians could all make strong pushes.”
At 32, Schwarber continues to amaze. Through 51 games in 2025, he’s tied for the MLB lead with 17 home runs and recently eclipsed the 300 career homer mark during a road series in Colorado, according to MLB.com’s Paul Casella. He’s on pace for his third 40-homer season and could reach 50—a milestone only Ryan Howard has achieved in franchise history, hitting 58 in his 2006 MVP campaign.
If Schwarber were to sign with Atlanta, it would be a gut punch for Phillies fans. His leadership and offensive firepower have been vital to the team, and seeing him do it in a Braves uniform would be heartbreaking. Atlanta, looking to rebound from recent setbacks, could be aiming to add one of the top bats available. With Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos known for working under the radar, the Phillies can’t afford to delay—re-signing Schwarber should be a top priority to ensure he remains a cornerstone in Philadelphia for years to come.