The Philadelphia Phillies will be a team to watch this offseason.
The Phillies have some key pending free agents, but none bigger than Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber is an MVP candidate this season and is in the final year of his four-year, $79 million deal.
Schwarber will be in line for a massive payday. MLB insider Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report expects Philadelphia to re-sign the slugger.
“Schwarber has the Phillies over a barrel having hit a career-high 49 home runs in his contract year. But both Phillies managing partner John Middleton and president of baseball operations have reiterated a desire to retain him,” Kelly wrote. “It will likely take four or five years—and probably fending off other suitors—but there would be a mutiny among the fanbase if the Phillies allow him to leave in free agency.”
Re-signing Schwarber would be a key move for the Phillies, and it could be necessary after the season he’s had.
Schwarber is hitting .245 with 49 home runs and 119 RBIs this season.
What Will Schwarber Get in Free Agency?
Although Schwarber will be 33 by Opening Day next season, he will get a massive payday this winter.
Spotrac projects Schwarber to sign a four-year, $100 million deal this offseason. However, former Miami Marlins executive David Samson predicted that Schwarber would get close to $300 million in free agency.
“You can bet that Kyle Schwarber’s going to ask for close to $300 million in free agency,” Samson said.
However, Schwarber’s age will hinder his earning potential, as he likely will be limited to a 5-7 year deal. But, Samson believes the slugger will be looking to earn around $30 million per season.
Schwarber is a three-time All-Star and won the World Series with the Chicago Cubs in 2016. He’s also a Silver Slugger Award winner and was the NL home run leader in 2022.
Phillies Want to Re-Sign Schwarber
Schwarber is having a career year, and it comes at a great time as it’s the final year of his deal.
Phillies’ managing partner John Middleton made it clear back in July that re-signing Schwarber was the biggest offseason priority for the team.
“Huge,” Middleton said on “Starkville” with Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville. “I mean, look, you’ve heard Dave [Dombrowski] make public statements — Dave doesn’t do that very often. But he said, ‘We need him, we want him, we love him, he’s great.’
“…He’s a wonderful person, as well as a wonderful player,” Schwarber added. “So, we wanna keep him. And we will do everything we can to keep him. And that doesn’t mean we’re gonna be able to, but guarantee you we’re gonna go down swinging. No one should question our sincerity in wanting to, and what we will do in order to keep him.”
Despite Schwarber having a stellar season, he’s still +700 to win the NL MVP as Shohei Ohtani is running away with the award with less than a month to go in the season.
Schwarber and the Phillies are currently atop the NL East with a record of 80-58. Philadelphia has the second-best record in the NL and would have a first-round playoff bye.
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