Bryce Harper is contractually tied to the Philadelphia Phillies for the long haul, but his All-Star teammate is not.
Harper’s 13-year, $330 million deal will keep him in a Phillies uniform through 2031 (barring a trade), but Harper’s fellow slugger on the Phils, Kyle Schwarber, is set to become a free agent next offseason.
Schwarber is in the final year of a four-year, $79 million deal.
This week, Harper was asked about Schwarber’s future in Philadelphia (via Philadelphia Inquirer). Does Harper think Schwarber will retire a Phillie?
“Obviously, I don’t make those decisions,” Harper said.
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“As a team leader and a captain … he brings so much value to our team, not even on the field, but off the field as well.”
“I have so much respect for Kyle and what he’s done in this game … he’s become just such an impact bat, not just for our team, but in all of baseball.”
“I mean, I don’t see him playing anywhere else.”
Schwarber, 32, has been with the Phillies since 2022. He’s a two-time All-Star whose career year in 2022 saw him pick up a Silver Slugger Award and lead the National League in home runs.
Schwarber has also played for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, and Chicago Cubs, winning a World Series as a young player with the Cubs in 2016.
It sounds like Harper is hoping that Schwarber stays in Philly permanently, an outcome that would allow the two stars to keep chasing Philadelphia’s first World Series title since 2008.
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