Kyle Schwarber makes his stance crystal clear with bold bias toward $3.1B franchise, per MLB insider

Kyle Schwarber is guaranteed a big payday after a career season in 2025, when he hit 56 home runs and an MLB-leading 132 RBIs in 162 games for the Philadelphia Phillies. All signs point towards a reunion in the City of the Brotherly Love, with Schwarber inclined to return.

According to ESPN insider Jeff Passan, writing on his Threads account, Schwarber has a strong market, but the Phillies, valued at $3.1 billion by Forbes, remain the best fit.

"Kyle Schwarber: The bellwether of the class. Schwarber’s market is healthy," Passan wrote. "He’s going to get years, and he’s going to get AAV, and at this point, he might be the likeliest of the big free agents to sign first.

"Unclear if something gets done before the meetings, but I’d be surprised if they end and he doesn’t have a team. The Phillies remain the favorite, with Boston, Cincinnati, the Mets and others in the mix."

Often, big deals go down during the MLB Winter Meetings, where the league discusses business and other important transactions. This year, the event is set to be held at Lake Buena Vista in Florida from Dec. 7 to Dec.10.

Schwarber is expected to get an upgrade on the four-year, $79 million contract he signed with the Phillies at the start of the 2022 season. The four years have been very fruitful for the Phillies as the slugger hit 187 home runs with 434 RBIs, averaging more than 156 games a season and recording an 11.1 bWAR.

MLB writer states Phillies are far away from a deal with Kyle Schwarber

MLB website's Todd Zolecki reported in an article on Tuesday that the Phillies have yet to come close to signing Kyle Schwarber. The designated hitter's agent Casey Close is looking to gauge the market and use it to leverage a good deal.

"The club and Schwarber are not close to a deal, according to sources," Zolecki wrote. "It isn’t a surprise at this time of year. Schwarber’s agents want to capitalize on his monstrous 2025 season in which he finished second for NL MVP behind Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. There’s no reason to rush it."

The Phillies were able to extend J.T. Realmuto in 2021 to a five-year, $115.5 million contract after the initial asking price set by the catcher's team was more than $200 million. A similar situation could unfold with Schwarber, but the Phillies are expected to have more competition.