At least three more games in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform are certain for Kyle Schwarber. However, all of the team’s supporters want hundreds more. This was Schwarber’s strongest season as a professional, and he has established himself as the mainstay of the Phillies’ lineup. In addition to being one of six players to play in all 162 games for their teams (including Rafael Devers, who played 163 due to his midseason trade), he led the National League with 56 home runs and the major leagues with 132 RBIs.
The Phillies entered this season hoping to lock Kyle Schwarber into a long-term extension, but those talks never materialized into a deal. Now, with October baseball ahead, the consequences of that missed opportunity are impossible to ignore. If Philadelphia wants to keep Schwarber, it’s going to cost them significantly more than it would have months ago. And if they can’t match what another team is willing to pay, they could face the painful reality of losing one of their most beloved players.
That possibility hangs over the clubhouse as the team prepares for the postseason. Schwarber has become much more than just a bat in the lineup. He’s a clubhouse leader, a community figure, and a steady presence his teammates lean on. Manager Rob Thomson captured the sentiment perfectly before the final game of the regular season, when he spoke with genuine emotion about Schwarber’s value. “It’s difficult,” Thomson admitted. “Not only the talent, but what he brings to the room. What he brings to the community. He’s an all-around man in many respects. I just love having him around. He’s a great human being. It’s hard to think about this team without him.”
The Phillies begin their playoff journey on Saturday in the National League Division Series, facing either the Dodgers or the Reds. And Schwarber’s postseason track record speaks for itself: 12 home runs, a .933 OPS, and countless big moments across 34 games in red pinstripes. Still, there’s some unfinished business. His performance last October against the Mets a frustrating 2-for-16 in the NLDS was one of the lowest points of his career, and he’s eager to make sure that isn’t the memory fans are left with.
For now, what matters most is the chance in front of them. The Phillies adore Schwarber, and anyone watching can see how much he means to the team. But there’s also an unspoken urgency. No one knows if this will be his final run in Philadelphia, so every swing, every cheer, and every moment this postseason will carry a little more weight.