Sep 9, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) reacts after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Phillies and Kyle Schwarber's camp "have engaged in broad contract extension talks this spring, according to major-league sources, but nothing is perceived as imminent," The Athletic's Matt Gelb reported ($) on Friday. Schwarber's current contract expires after the 2025 season.
Some context is important here. Gelb's piece is focused on Schwarber's efforts to play serviceable defense on occasion in left field or at first base. The entirety of any new report on a contract extension is within the confines of the short quote above.
Gelb even notes that Schwarber "going to the free-agent market as a DH who can play a little left field and first base could open more doors next winter." Which makes some of these headlines from MLB news outlets a bit misleading:
This is exactly why fans should rely on 🚦THE Philly Sports Website for their Phillies news (unless they have that paywall money)."Broad" extension talks are still better than no extension talks, of course, for those who hope the Phillies will bring their biggest slugger back next season.
In mid-February, Schwarber expressed a desire to stay with the Phils. "I know there’s interest on our side," said the DH. "We’ll see what happens throughout this camp, if they approach us and we get deeper and deeper into discussion . . . The best line I’ve ever heard on that is from [former MLB pitcher] Jon Lester: 'The best way to get paid is to win.' So I’ll just focus on that. It’s what I’ve always focused on."
On Pattison's Tim Kelly explored Schwarber's market value earlier this year. He also noted that the Phils may be inclined to preserve financial flexibility for 2026 and beyond:
"It may be that the Phillies want to leave themselves flexibility next offseason to shake their lineup up, something they didn't really have a ton of this winter. Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto will each be free agents after 2025, and will clear almost $43 million worth of luxury tax salaries. With that, the Phillies could sign another outfielder and shift [Nick] Castellanos to DH for the final year of his deal. They could also go without a full-time DH, leaving it open for Castellanos, [Bryce] Harper, Trea Turner and others to get off their feet some days."
Schwarber has hit 131 regular season home runs in three seasons since joining the Phils.
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