The Philadelphia Phillies have built one of the deepest and most talented rosters in all of baseball, but that strength could take a major hit if they aren’t careful with their upcoming decisions. One of their cornerstones, slugger Kyle Schwarber, is set to hit free agency when the season ends, and unless the front office acts quickly and aggressively, they risk losing him to another team. Schwarber isn’t just another name in the lineup he’s an MVP-caliber bat, the kind of player who can carry a team for weeks with his power, and his next contract is shaping up to be one of the biggest stories of the offseason.
Patrick McAvoy of Sports Illustrated recently stressed how vital it is for the Phillies to keep Schwarber in red pinstripes, pointing to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal on what kind of deal the slugger might command. Rosenthal projected that Schwarber could be looking at a four-year contract worth somewhere in the ballpark of $30 million annually. That’s $120 million over the life of the deal an investment that might sound massive, but one that McAvoy argues is absolutely worth it given Schwarber’s production and importance to Philadelphia’s success.
Schwarber has already proven that he’s one of the premier hitters in the National League. He’s squarely in the mix for MVP honors this year, and when paired with Bryce Harper, he forms the heart and soul of the Phillies’ offense. If Philadelphia chooses to let him walk, not only would they be losing one of their most dangerous weapons, but they’d also risk giving a competitive edge to a rival. The New York Mets, for example, face a similar situation with their own slugger, Pete Alonso, who could also hit free agency. The market value set by Schwarber’s contract will likely have ripple effects on Alonso’s next deal as well, which means both players are positioned to become the trendsetters of this year’s free-agent class.
From Philadelphia’s perspective, the answer seems simple: they cannot afford to let Schwarber leave. His bat is too powerful, his leadership too valuable, and his chemistry with the rest of the roster too important to replace. If he continues to launch 40-plus home runs a season, he’s going to deliver well beyond the price tag of any contract he signs. The Phillies have the financial muscle to match or even exceed market value, and if they’re serious about keeping their grip on the National League East, re-signing Schwarber has to be priority number one.