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Phillies, Kyle Schwarber News Emerges on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 6:30 PM ET

Left-handed slugger Kyle Schwarber remains one of the most impactful bats in MLB free agency. His four-year, $79 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies signed in March of 2022 has come to a close, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Despite entering his age-33 season in 2026, he is expected to command a much larger deal with a higher annual value. That projection comes after finishing second in NL MVP voting for the Phillies while serving exclusively as a designated hitter.

Schwarber earned that recognition by posting a .240 batting average, .365 on-base percentage, .928 OPS, 56 home runs and 132 RBIs. He accomplished all of this while appearing in all 162 games, proving both reliable and dominant even under a heavy workload.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber (12) © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

As a result, the Phillies have expressed interest in bringing Schwarber back, as he is beloved by the fanbase and was the team’s best player last season. However, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, the two sides remain far apart in contract negotiations.

“The club and Schwarber are not close to a deal, according to sources. It isn’t a surprise at this time of year. Schwarber’s agents want to capitalize on his monstrous 2025 season in which he finished second for NL MVP behind Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. There’s no reason to rush it. But the lack of progress can be frustrating, while others wonder how long the Phils can wait,” Zolecki wrote on Tuesday.

The Phillies remain the frontrunner to retain Schwarber, but the longer he lingers in free agency, the greater the chance another contender steps in with an offer too strong to refuse.

“The Phils have prioritized re-signing free agents Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto. The club and Schwarber are not close to a deal, according to sources. It isn’t a surprise at this time of year.”

“The feeling here is that Schwarber will remain in Philadelphia.”

-@ToddZolecki pic.twitter.com/oCTrG6eqBH
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) November 25, 2025

Schwarber’s career accomplishments add even more weight to these negotiations. He debuted with the Chicago Cubs in 2015 and quickly became a key part of their historic 2016 World Series run. He later played for the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox before joining Philadelphia, where his power bat elevated the lineup.

Over his 11-year career, Schwarber has earned three All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger Award, recognition that reflects his impact across multiple organizations. His ability to deliver in big moments and sustain production makes him one of the most respected sluggers in the game. The Phillies are coming off back-to-back NL East titles, and Schwarber was central to that success, which makes retaining him the club's biggest priority.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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