The Philadelphia Phillies enter the offseason with uncertainty regarding key player Kyle Schwarber. Speculation is increasing that Schwarber might leave, and the team has already been cautioned about the possible risks of re-signing him.
“The Phillies should not re-sign Schwarber to a multi-year contract. Not signing him will hurt the club offensively and the front office would need to have a plan to replace the home run hitter. However, what if they bring him back for multiple years and he begins to decline? Either decision brings a certain amount of risk,” TBOH’s Matt Grazel wrote. “This roster needs substantial changes. While unpopular and risky, the decision not to re-sign Schwarber represents the best chance for Dombrowski to shake up the roster, which is necessary at this point.”
Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper acknowledged that it would feel strange not having Schwarber in the clubhouse.
“I was talking to somebody the other day,” Harper told MLB.com. “And I was like, ‘Man, it would be weird not to have [Schwarber] in our clubhouse.’ He’s such a good leader. He’s such a good person in the community. Great family, great person. I think he’s a guy that obviously our team can build around. Obviously, he’s going to make a lot of money [as a free agent].”
However, despite the speculation, it doesn’t appear likely that Schwarber will leave Philadelphia in free agency.
“The Dodgers overtaking the field for Tucker could help to drive Schwarber back to the Phillies. Turning 33 in March, Schwarber has been the best home-run hitter in the league not named Aaron Judge since his rookie season in 2015,” Deadspin’s David Brown wrote.
Schwarber’s return to Philadelphia would be exactly what Phillies fans are hoping for. After all he has accomplished with the team, it would feel odd to see him anywhere else. The Phillies are focused on getting over the hump in 2026, and bringing back Schwarber could be a major step toward achieving that goal.
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