The Philadelphia Phillies are taking another shot with their veteran core of stars, but it might be the last one.
After winning just one playoff game against the New York Mets in 2024, the team had a relatively quiet offseason and is running it back with staples like Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and Trea Turner.
And this could be the team’s final season with one of its most impactful stars. Kyle Schwarber’s four-year, $79 million contract will conclude after this season if the team does not extend him first. And Major League Baseball insider Robert Murray fears the Phillies might have already missed their chance to do so.
“Negotiating in-season is always possible, but it comes with complications,” Murray wrote. “Teams and players typically don’t do it because it can be a distraction for the player on the field. So while it’s not impossible that Schwarber and the Phillies could engage in the middle of the season, it’s extremely unlikely.”
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently reported that the Phillies did offer Schwarber an extension this past winter, but that talks didn’t go beyond an initial proposal. That could be a sign that the two sides are willing to continue negotiations, or that Schwarber is determined to hit free agency and test the market.
At age 32, he has received Most Valuable Player Award votes in each of the past three seasons, slugging at least 38 homers in them all. He also had triple-digit RBI in 2023 and 2024, and led the National League in walks last season.
In short, he has been one of baseball’s most effective hitters throughout his career and particularly so in recent seasons. He’s a significant part of the Phillies lineup and it might be hard to imagine the team without him.
But Murray noted that he has seen no evidence of extension talks continuing and “that feels like a mistake.”
“Which means the most likely scenario is that Schwarber reaches free agency, where many teams figure to be involved in the bidding,” Murray added. “But the Phillies could have gotten ahead of this in the spring — and by not doing so, may cost them a chance at a few more seasons of Schwarbombs at Citizens Bank Park.”
More MLB: Mike Trout speaks out on Angels latest ‘exhausting’ move
