Kyle Schwarber Breaks Silence on Potential 'Goodbye' to Phillies as 'End' Looms
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The Philadelphia Phillies lost in a heartbreaker to the Houston Astros on Tuesday, wasting a Ranger Suarez gem without a single run.
As franchise slugger Bryce Harper works his way back from injury, the Phillies' offensive questions are under a harsh spotlight. The team stands in the middle of the Major League Baseball pack for total home runs, RBI and slugging percentage.
And those issues could get much worse after this season as their most potent hitter, Kyle Schwarber, has the chance to become a free agent.
"In a star-studded lineup that — when healthy — features Harper, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto and Nick Castellanos, Schwarber is the Phillies' best hitter, and he's one of the biggest reasons they're considered World Series contenders," Deesha Thosar wrote for Fox Sports. "There's only one problem: Schwarber is an impending free agent."
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 16: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks back to the dugout after a fly ball for an out to end the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens...
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 16: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks back to the dugout after a fly ball for an out to end the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on May 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) More
Barry/Getty
As Schwarber enjoys some career-best production this year, it's unclear just how high his asking price might go. But after the Phillies offered him a contract extension before the season started and negotiations failed to advance beyond an initial proposal, the team has to consider the possibility of losing him after this year.
It's a possibility that Schwarber has now addressed, per Thosar.
"You want to make sure that you give the best that you can to your team," the slugger told Thosar. "Because if it is the end, how do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered for being selfish, where you're only caring about yourself? Or do you want to really be remembered for giving everything you had to your team?"
As Schwarber looks to cement his legacy with the Phillies in what could be his final year, he is leading the team in total runs, RBI, home runs, on-base percentage and more. That production is helping the team progress toward the playoffs, but it could also be boosting the price of Schwarber's next contract and, ultimately, pricing him out of a return.
But Schwarber expects to at least give the Phillies a chance to match his next contract offers.
"I know from our side that as soon as the season's over, whenever the time is appropriate, some sort of conversation will be had," he added, per Thosar. "They've done a lot for me. And that's why I don't think that it's just going to be a goodbye, right?"
Without a clear slugger replacement for Schwarber, the Phillies might not be willing to say goodbye either, even if the cost of keeping their designated hitter is rising.
More MLB: Time For Angels To Let Mike Trout Depart Anaheim?
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