Kyle Schwarber has been an undeniable powerhouse for the Philadelphia Phillies since joining as a free agent back in 2022. With only Aaron Judge surpassing his impressive tally of 113 home runs since the start of that year, Schwarber's knack for finding the fences has been a critical asset. Among leadoff hitters with a minimum of 500 at-bats in that period, his .495 slugging percentage is nothing short of spectacular, ranking him sixth.
Schwarber’s consistent firepower at the top of the order played a pivotal role in the Phillies’ offensive success, helping them claim the fifth spot in baseball last season with an average of 4.84 runs per game. This season, they’ve kept up the pace, ranking 10th with 4.91 runs per game during the initial stretch. Despite his invaluable contribution, the Phillies have been unable to pin down a value for Schwarber as discussions about extending his contract hit a wall during Spring Training.
Looking at how the current season is unfolding, the Phillies might already be feeling the heat for not locking in Schwarber's future. If he keeps firing on all cylinders, Philadelphia might face the dual challenge of either meeting a steeper price tag or the prospect of him leaving after this season.
Schwarber's journey with the Phillies saw him predominantly in the leadoff spot. But in a strategic twist, manager Rob Thomson moved him to the cleanup position, ushering Trea Turner to the forefront. The shift seems to have been a masterstroke, igniting Schwarber’s performance even further as he's launched into the season with a scorching .293/.420/.732 line, amassing five homers and 11 RBIs over 11 games.
Under ordinary circumstances, these stats would be cause for celebration. However, they also signal a pressing issue for the Phillies with Schwarber in the last year of his current contract.
The 32-year-old has been checking all the boxes in preparation for his next big contract, even taking reps at first base during Spring Training. Nonetheless, as reported by Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, Schwarber has turned down a recent extension offer, opting to proceed with a year-to-year approach much like he did earlier in his career with the Cubs.
Put simply, putting up legendary, Babe Ruth-like numbers in a contract year is a ticket to a substantial payday. Though Schwarber's defensive skills are not his strongest suit, there’s certainly a demand for top-tier designated hitters.
For context, Joc Pederson recently secured a two-year, $37 million deal with the Texas Rangers. If Schwarber can demonstrate his defensive chops, he might command something closer to Pete Alonso’s hefty two-year, $54 million contract with the New York Mets.
Alonso’s role as a daily first baseman sets a somewhat different standard, but it gives a hint of what Schwarber might command. His next contract might land anywhere from $18.5 to $27 million annually.
Given that he's currently wrapping up a four-year, $79 million agreement with an annual figure of $19.75 million with the Phillies, Schwarber is poised for another lucrative signing. And as the season progresses, the Phillies might just find themselves rethinking the decision not to seal the deal on his contract extension earlier.
