The Philadelphia Phillies are as locked in on the here and now as any team in Major League Baseball, but free agency looms nonetheless.
In just over two months, a handful of key contributors for the Phillies will become free agents, with none more sought after than designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.
Though he’s approaching his age-33 season and offers virtually no defensive value, Schwarber’s bat is so potent that he could very well get a nine-figure contract. Spotrac currently projects him for a four-year, $101 million deal.
Will the Phillies ultimately be the team to give him that deal, be it $101 million or an even more impressive number?
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted that the Phillies would find a way to keep Schwarber, though the writer expected the competition to be fierce for the free agent class leader in OPS.
“Schwarber certainly has the Phillies over a barrel having hit a career-high 49 home runs in his contract year. But both Phillies managing partner John Middleton and president of baseball operations have reiterated a desire to retain Schwarber,” wrote Kelly.
“It will likely take four or five years — and probably fending off other suitors — but there would be a mutiny among the fanbase if the Phillies allow him to leave in free agency.”
Entering play on Tuesday, Schwarber was slashing .245/.366/.577 and leading the National League with 49 home runs. He leads all of baseball with 119 RBIs and is likely to finish runner-up to Shohei Ohtani for the Most Valuable Player Award.
That’s a lot to lose, but there’s also a heavy risk that comes with handing out yet another nine-figure contract. Just how high will the Phillies be willing to take the bidding?
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