Kyle Schwarber is tied with Shohei Ohtani for the National League home run lead, and the Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter is making a strong case for NL MVP consideration. But as the postseason approaches, there’s growing uncertainty about whether he’ll be back in red pinstripes next year.
The Phillies have already locked up the NL East by double digits over the Mets, but they couldn’t lock up their slugger before the season started.
“The Phillies did try to sign DH Kyle Schwarber before the start of the season, but the two sides never came close to reaching an agreement,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote.
That’s where things get interesting for Phillies fans who’ve watched “Schwarbs” become a cornerstone of their lineup. The market for his services is heating up, and the Boston Red Sox are currently the betting favorites to land him if Philadelphia can’t get a deal done.
It wouldn’t be Schwarber’s first time in a Red Sox uniform. He spent 41 games at Fenway Park in 2021 after being traded from Washington, hitting .291 with seven homers and 18 RBI while helping Boston reach the ALCS.
The financial expectations are steep. Nightengale reported that Philadelphia would need to offer at least four years and over $120 million to keep their designated hitter. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com backed up those projections.
“Among those we spoke to, the consensus is that Schwarber should land a deal of four or five years for at least $30 million per season,” Feinsand said.
That’s a significant commitment for a player who’ll turn 32 next March, but Schwarber’s production speaks for itself. His co-lead in home runs with Ohtani puts him in elite company, and his consistent power has been a driving force behind Philadelphia’s division title.
Schwarber has been vocal about wanting to stay in Philadelphia. The question is whether the Phillies are willing to meet his market value or if they’ll risk losing a key piece of their lineup.
If they can’t bridge that gap, it could mean a major blow to their batting order next season. And for Red Sox fans still remembering his brief but impactful 2021 stint, the possibility of a reunion might be exactly what their offense needs.
