The Phillies haven’t locked up Kyle Schwarber yet, and that’s starting to look like a problem. About a month into free agency, the slugger remains unsigned despite being widely considered the second-best hitter available.
This isn’t exactly shocking timing. Schwarber’s looking at the biggest payday of his career, and these things take time when you’re talking about nine-figure money.
The fit in Philadelphia seems obvious enough. But if Dave Dombrowski and ownership aren’t willing to meet his asking price, Schwarber could be wearing different colors in 2025.
Will Laws of Sports Illustrated thinks that’s exactly what’ll happen. His prediction? Schwarber lands with the Mets.
“Over the past four seasons, only Aaron Judge has hit more than Schwarber’s 187 home runs. The veteran slugger has posted nearly every day during that span, missing just 21 games since 2022. Schwarber is comfortably in the DH-only phase of his career, and players at the bottom of the defensive spectrum have had to take some financial hits in free agency in recent years. If those teams believe Schwarber can maintain his status as one of the league’s best hitters for the medium-term future, then he’ll more than justify a nine-figure commitment.”
Let’s put this in perspective. Only Aaron Judge has more homers than Schwarber’s 187 over the past four years. The guy’s missed just 21 games since 2022.
He’s a full-time DH now, which typically means taking a financial hit. But when you’re producing at this level, teams find ways to make the money work.
Losing Schwarber would hurt Philadelphia plenty. He’s arguably their most important bat heading into 2025.
But watching him join the Mets? That’d be a complete disaster.
The Phillies have to make sure that doesn’t happen, even if it means matching what could be an overpay from Queens. Some players are just too valuable to let walk to a division rival.
