
The Philadelphia Phillies got off to a busy start on Tuesday, solidifying their immediate future with a major move.
Left-handed designated hitter Kyle Schwarber will remain in Philadelphia after agreeing to a five-year, $150 million contract, despite drawing interest from several teams around the league in MLB free agency.
The 32-year-old veteran is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, finishing second in National League MVP voting. He posted a .240 batting average, .365 on-base percentage and .928 OPS across 162 games.
His 56 home runs led the National League, while his 132 RBIs were the most in all of MLB. Given that production, the Phillies simply could not afford to lose Schwarber, whose power and durability have become central to their lineup.
Philadelphia will likely continue making moves around the roster to give manager Rob Thomson the tools he needs to get over the hump and avoid another early postseason exit. Thomson has guided the Phillies to back-to-back NL East division titles, yet the club has fallen in the Division Series both years.
That led to speculation about his job security, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made it clear at the end-of-season press conference that Thomson would remain with the team for 2026.
On Tuesday, just moments after re-signing Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies doubled down on their commitment to Thomson by extending his contract through 2027.
“Breaking: The Phillies have extended the contract of manager Rob Thomson through the 2027 season,” the team announced on X.
Breaking: The Phillies have extended the contract of manager Rob Thomson through the 2027 season. pic.twitter.com/uN1esBlkYd
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) December 9, 2025
Thomson has been with the Phillies organization since 2018, beginning as bench coach before taking over as manager on June 3, 2022, after Joe Girardi was fired. Since then, he has guided the team through the 2025 season, leading them to multiple playoff appearances, including a memorable World Series run in 2022.
Thomson has the second-most wins in franchise history with 346 and the second-best winning percentage at .580. Beyond the numbers, he has proven to be a steady presence in the clubhouse, earning respect from veterans and younger players alike.
His calm demeanor, clear communication and ability to manage personalities have made him a strong fit for Philadelphia’s roster, fostering the kind of culture that has kept the Phillies competitive year after year.
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