Bryce Harper didn’t mince words when asked about Kyle Schwarber’s decision to stay in Philadelphia. The Phillies’ star first baseman admitted he was caught off guard that Schwarber chose to re-sign rather than head back to his hometown Cincinnati Reds in free agency.
“I thought Kyle was going to go to Cincinnati, to tell you the truth,” Harper said Friday. “I thought it was a done deal, going to Cincinnati. Just because, I mean, being at home and things like that.”
It’s not hard to see why Harper - and likely others around the league - thought the Reds were a real possibility. Schwarber’s roots run deep in Ohio, having starred at Middletown High School before launching a big-league career that’s seen him become one of the most feared left-handed power bats in the game. A return home would’ve made for a compelling narrative - local kid comes back to lift his hometown team - and, in Harper’s mind, it seemed like a natural fit.
But Schwarber had other plans.
While Harper said he didn’t pry too much into his teammate’s decision - “I don’t like getting into those situations,” he noted - the clubhouse chatter clearly included some good-natured ribbing about the idea of Schwarber playing in front of his hometown crowd.
“We kind of messed with him the whole time about him going back home and playing in front of his fan base and all that kind of stuff,” Harper said.
Ultimately, Schwarber stayed put - and Harper made it clear he’s happy about that. Along with catcher J.T.
Realmuto, Schwarber’s return keeps the core of the Phillies’ lineup intact as they gear up for another run at October. Harper didn’t dive into contract details or recruiting tactics.
This wasn’t about pressure - it was about respect for a teammate’s personal and professional decision.
“They’re going to do what’s best for their family and what’s best for their career,” Harper said. “Obviously, excited to have (Schwarber and JT Realmuto) back.”
With spring training just around the corner, the Phillies can breathe a little easier knowing their clubhouse leadership and middle-of-the-order power remain firmly in place. And while Schwarber may have had every reason to consider a homecoming, his decision to stay in Philly speaks volumes - about the team’s culture, their belief in what they’re building, and the unfinished business that still drives this group.