There has been plenty of mutual interest between the Phillies and Kyle Schwarber, leading to a sense around the league (and among MLBTR’s staff) that Schwarber’s free agent path will ultimately lead him back to the City of Brotherly Love. It doesn’t appear, however, that a reunion is imminent, as MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki wrote earlier this week that the two sides “are not close to a deal.”
Zolecki didn’t specify if there has been any standstill in talks, or if there is a sizable gap between the two sides in terms of money or contract length. By that same measure, there’s also nothing to indicate that talks couldn’t heat up with a single phone call. All in all, the news shouldn’t be construed as a sign that Schwarber won’t eventually return, or that either party is favoring another option.
It has only been a little over three weeks since free agents have been allowed to negotiate with other teams, and most of the top names on the market are still testing the waters. A couple of the most prominent early signings (Josh Naylor to the Mariners, Raisel Iglesias to the Braves) did involve players quickly opting to re-up with their former teams, which perhaps raised hopes among Philadelphia fans that a new deal with Schwarber might also resolved in rapid fashion. A little over two years ago, Aaron Nola entered free agency but then worked out his seven-year, $172MM deal with the Phillies within just a couple of weeks of the market opening.
As Zolecki simply puts it, “there’s no reason to rush it” for Schwarber’s camp at this point, given how much interest the slugger is generating in the wake of his 56-homer season. The Red Sox, Orioles, and (surprisingly) the Pirates have all been publicly linked to Schwarber’s market thus far, plus the Reds have been mentioned as a speculative contender since they need hitting help and Schwarber is from the Cincinnati area. DH-only players entering their age-33 seasons don’t usually command the kind of attention Schwarber is garnering, but then again, Schwarber’s career year is just one of 23 seasons of 56+ home runs in baseball history.
The fact that Schwarber is essentially the Phillies’ top priority (give or take J.T. Realmuto) gives the slugger added leverage. He and his agents can likely afford to wait and see what other offers emerge, with the comfort of knowing that Philadelphia might well match or top whatever rival offer is put on the table. From the Phillies’ perspective, they will likely wait on Schwarber before proceeding with any other major offseason business, apart from matters that wouldn’t be impacted by Schwarber staying or leaving — i.e. negotiating with Realmuto, trying to trade Nick Castellanos, or perhaps looking for bullpen help.
There’s some risk for the Phillies in that if Schwarber signed elsewhere after taking several more weeks, the Phils could be left behind in their offseason shopping if other free agents have already left the market. That said, rival agents are also aware of this scenario, and could advise their clients to wait on their own decisions just in case a Schwarber-less Phillies team suddenly broadens its free agent horizons.
This is common as it’s still November. Schwarber starts off with a ridiculously high ask. Then when he starts to get offers Phillies deal with the market.
This isn’t to say Schwarber will sign with the Phillies. Plenty of teams will be in on him and can pry him away. But I don’t see the idea of them not being close as a pro or con. Same thing happened with Realmuto a few years back.
Honestly, it’s weird seeing a Phillies lineup without Schwarber hitting leadoff.
I could see schwarber linger until late February-early March since he has questions with his age and being a DH
Great time for the Red Sox to strike!
Schwarber would be loved in Boston as the second coming of Big Papi.
6 year deal gets him to about age 40 (which is how Ortiz was when he retired) and he was still hitting well.
He was magical with the Red Sox (which was the last time they were really good)
I think they’re the favorite to sign him and then they will trade 1 of Duran or abreu or Rafaela to get a 1st baseman or a pitcher
My guess is Duran goes to padres
I think he wants to come home to Cincinnati, but convincing them to spend money is gonna take a miracle.
He just wants the most money like they all do.
I think a lot of them have preferences on location and competitive teams that factor in as well
Hopefully he gets a better deal somewhere else. Time for Phillies to move on from a one dimensional player.
7 Years/$260 million, I seriously don’t get why this is so hard.
It’s easy to say it when it’s not your money. It’s a lot more difficult to pay it out when it is.
Cause he’s 33 years old and can’t play defense. He’s a great player but his archetype doesn’t necessarily look to age well
A DH, almost 33 and a career .231 hitter. Plus he wants a 7 year deal. They will be looking to dump him in the last few years when he hits under .200.
That would be an insane offer he’d accept instantly.
Five years, $160 million, with Phillies most likely
Is that actually in the ballpark? Not trolling, but that seems really high to me. He’s 33 and doesn’t play a position; a DH has never commanded that length or dollars in a FA contract.
I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts.
He’s not getting 32 aav unless it’s 2-3 years imo
I guarantee the Phillies are closer than the pathetic Pirates in getting Schwarber
Nor should they be…let the market determine his value
Schwarber obviously waiting on the Pirate offer. LOL.
Of course they are not. Baseball’s free agency period is a slow process. And we are not even a month into it.
Haven’t even got to the winter meetings yet!
It’s November
“It doesn’t mean he won’t sign, but it doesn’t mean he will sign. It also doesn’t mean that things can’t heat right back up with a phone call. Then again, maybe not”
lol thanks, got it
For what it’s worth, Forbes says the Phillies made big profits for 2017-2020. I know it’s all just estimates, but the Forbes numbers are believable if you look at the Phillies’ much lower payrolls for those years. As the franchise’s payrolls have soared over 2021-2025, those profits have evaporated.
Maybe Middleton is tired of chasing that elusive World Series win with ever bigger payrolls. So he might be reigning in the spending spree, at least just a little. Is that why we’re hearing so much about other teams pursuing Schwarber? They might sense an opportunity if the Phillies really are tightening the belt.
All that said, I think the Phillies will finally gulp and give Schwarber a massive deal. The fanbase would mutiny otherwise.
Fat chance the Red Sox are signing Schwarber. They will not shell out the money. Take it to the bank.
As a Red Sox fan I say “good – keep it that way.”
I think the Pirates offer is the only one on the table… Take it or go to Chinese Taipei.
If it makes you feel any better, neither am I.