Phillies insider provides insight on the market for Kyle Schwarber

Alex Anthopoulos didn’t name designated hitter or outfield as one of the Braves’ top priorities this offseason during his end-of-season press conference, but with Marcell Ozuna likely set to leave in free agency, it’s certainly a market Atlanta will be monitoring.

At the top of every team’s wish list searching for a DH will be Kyle Schwarber. The NL MVP candidate is coming off a career year in which he mashed 56 home runs and has averaged more than 45 long balls over his last four seasons in Philadelphia. Schwarber is the premier power hitter in baseball right now, and according to Phillies beat writer Matt Gelb of The Athletic, he’s looking to get paid like it this offseason.

“Schwarber will seek a five-year contract this offseason; it’s difficult to see anyone offering that to a designated hitter who turns 33 next March. The Chicago Cubs, the team that drafted Schwarber, are one team in particular to monitor as negotiations unfold,” Gelb wrote.

Five-year contracts for 33-year-old players — especially lucrative ones for guys who don’t play defense — are few and far between. But if anyone could break that mold, it’s Kyle Schwarber.

It’s evident the Phillies intend to keep Schwarber, and it’s fair to say he’s their top priority. Still, there will be plenty of teams involved, and Philadelphia has a lot of questions to answer about its roster after yet another disappointing postseason exit.

The Braves are likely to be among the teams inquiring about Schwarber’s services. While it’s unlikely they’d be willing to match the top offers, the situation is reminiscent of a couple of years ago when Aaron Nola was a free agent. The Braves reportedly offered him a six-year, $162 million deal before he ultimately returned to Philadelphia on a seven-year, $172 million contract.

It would be shocking if the Phillies let Schwarber sign with a division rival, but he fits the mold of everything the Braves look for in a free agent, and it’s never a bad thing to drive up the price on your competition.

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