The MLB offseason is almost upon us, and this winter is shaping up to be hot. The stars are aligning, and for the Philadelphia Phillies, it’s all about Kyle Schwarber. Bryce Harper has been very adamant about the Phillies retaining Schwarber.
“I was talking to somebody the other day,” Harper told MLB.com. “And I was like, ‘Man, it would be weird not to have [Schwarber] in our clubhouse.’ He’s such a good leader. He’s such a good person in the community. Great family, great person. I think he’s a guy that obviously our team can build around. Obviously, he’s going to make a lot of money [as a free agent]. He’s going to be a very hot commodity on the market. He’s a guy that hits homers. He’s a great clubhouse guy and a leader. I hope he doesn’t get [to free agency]. He’s a guy that we can use for the next few years.”
However, some analysts have warned that bringing Schwarber back might carry risks.
“The Phillies should not re-sign Schwarber to a multi-year contract. Not signing him will hurt the club offensively and the front office would need to have a plan to replace the home run hitter. However, what if they bring him back for multiple years and he begins to decline? Either decision brings a certain amount of risk,” TBOH’s Matt Grazel wrote. “This roster needs substantial changes. While unpopular and risky, the decision not to re-sign Schwarber represents the best chance for Dombrowski to shake up the roster, which is necessary at this point.”
MLB insider Jim Bowden also released his prediction for Schwarber’s upcoming contract — and it’s a hefty one.
“Contract prediction: 5-years, $160 million,” Bowden wrote.
That’s a significant payday for someone whose primary skill is power hitting. Schwarber has become such a force at the plate that teams are likely to do whatever it takes to acquire the All-Star this winter.
There’s no better time than the present for Schwarber, and he is waiting for teams to make offers. Bringing him back to Philadelphia, however, may prove to be a challenge in itself.
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