Stay or Go: Should the Phillies re-sign Kyle Schwarber?
Here’s Part 4 of Phillies Nation’s Stay or Go series.
Should the Phillies re-sign Kyle Schwarber? With his four-year, $79 million contract ending in a career year, Schwarber heads to the market as one of the most coveted bats available this winter — perhaps the most coveted.
He was second in MLB with 56 homers this year, posting a .240/.365/.563 slash, mashing lefties especially. He hit 187 homers with an .856 OPS during the contract. He hit .216 with a .930 OPS in the postseason, including 3-for-16 (double, two homers, eight strikeouts) against the Dodgers. He became the Phillies’ de facto captain. He turns 33 in March as a primary DH.
With all that in mind, should the Phillies re-sign Schwarber? Our writers weigh in. Vote in the poll below and we’ll reveal the results for all players at the end of the series.
Previous editions of Stay or Go?
Destiny Lugardo — Site Director — Stay
Schwarber hit more than 25% of the Phillies’ home runs in 2025. Half of the Phillies’ 212 home runs last season were hit by players who will either be free agents or most likely traded. The Phillies can find home runs elsewhere on the free agent market, but Schwarber is by far the best power bat available. The most impressive thing about him is his ability to close up holes in his swing. He’s not perfect, judging by his numbers against breaking pitches this season, but you trust him to figure out a way to improve. That’s why you feel good about Schwarber’s second deal with the club aging well.
Ty Daubert — Editorial Director — Stay
It’s tough to imagine the Phillies lineup being able to produce an adequate amount of power without Schwarber after the heavy lifting he did in 2025. He hit 56 home runs, and Bryce Harper was in second place on the team with 27. Sure, the Phillies could pivot in the event that Schwarber walks away from Philadelphia this offseason. They could spread some of the resources around or sign another big name. They could have a more flexible roster if they don’t have to spend so much money on a designated hitter. But there’s not another batter the club could grab that would provide the same impact as Schwarber.
Bailey Digh — Staff Writer — Stay
This one is simple. Schwarber is valuable, both as a hitter and clubhouse leader. His 187 home runs since joining the Phillies are second in baseball. His .856 OPS is 15th. Off the field, it’s been well-established that Schwarber has been someone the club looks to for leadership. Without him, who knows what the clubhouse culture looks like in 2026 and beyond? Yes, he’s entering his mid-30s. And yes, his new contract could push $30 million a season – a high mark for a full-time designated hitter. But Schwarber is worth it. He profiles as someone who will age well and has become a tone-setter off the field. I don’t know what the Phillies look like without him. I’m not sure they want to find out.
Nathan Ackerman — Staff Writer — Maybe
I tried my best to avoid “maybe” as much as possible for this series, but this one truly comes down to the terms. (Yes, it’s not my money; no, payroll is not infinite.) Reasons to keep Schwarber: They do not hit enough home runs, he hits a lot of home runs, his adaptability will help him as he ages, he’s integral to the clubhouse, he should still be productive the next couple years at least. Reasons to pass: He’d clog up the DH spot on an old team with aging stars, bat speed doesn’t age well and, sorry, he will in March be a 33-year-old DH. If that means his market doesn’t develop, pay him. If enough hungry, aggressive teams get in because he just had a career year and the terms skyrocket to something either far too expensive or too long — say a painful goodbye. For what it’s worth, I predict the former, and I’d agree with that signing.