Yesterday’s price is not today’s price
It’s hard not to see Kyle Schwarber as one of the best free agent signings in Phillies history. Since joining the team prior to the 2022 season on a 4 year, $72M contract, Schwarber’s .843 OPS is second on the Phillies only to Bryce Harper’s .885 among players with at least 500 plate appearances over that span. Schwarber’s 143 home runs are far and away the best, almost exactly double Harper’s second-best total of 75. His 12 postseason home runs are tied with Harper for the most in franchise history. All of this plus being the leader of a clubhouse and a proven winner have made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
So far in 2025, Schwarber has been arguably the Phillies best player. He entered Thursday slashing .264/.410/.581 and was tied for the Major League lead in home runs with 12. His on-base streak of 43 games dating back to last season is the sixth longest in Phillies history. Not only has he been one of the best players on the Phillies, but there’s also an argument that he’s been one of the best players in the National League.
Now for the elephant in the room. Schwarber, as you know by now, is in the final year of his contract. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the free agent market, Schwarber is likely to be the best free agent hitter not named Kyle Tucker. His MVP-like start to the season has also no doubt helped his negotiating stance. Because of all this, ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted this week that Schwarber receiving a $100M contract is “eminently reasonable.”
Assuming it would be another four-year pact, that would give Schwarber a $25M AAV over the years that would cover his age 33-36 seasons. That AAV would also put him just over Aaron Nola ($24.5) and just under Trea Turner ($27.2M) for the fourth highest salary on the Phillies. Schwarber’s bat as it is right now is undoubtedly worth that much, but that’s also the only thing you’re getting, as he is essentially permanently locked at designated hitter now. Schwarber has gone from bad in the field to unplayable. Nevertheless, he has continued to improve with his bat over his four years in Philadelphia, especially against left-handed pitching, but there’s no guarantee he will continue to do so as he ages.
We asked earlier in the season if you would have offered Schwarber an extension. Now, thanks to Passan’s estimation, we have a ballpark number from an insider to estimate what that contract could cost. So, the question of the day today is would you offer Kyle Schwarber a $100M contract?