ORLANDO, Fla. — On Wednesday, Kyle Schwarber appeared on a Zoom call with reporters and wore the kind of grin that made it clear he was relieved — and happy — to be staying in red pinstripes.
A day earlier, the Phillies announced they had re-signed the veteran slugger to a five-year contract worth a reported $150 million, keeping one of baseball’s most productive power hitters in Philadelphia through the 2030 season.
The move followed weeks of internal discussion and a rising sense of urgency. Schwarber has become one of the most popular players in Philadelphia in a generation, and club officials understood the potential backlash if he departed while still performing at an MVP-caliber level.
Team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and owner John Middleton “felt the temperature,” according to one AL executive. With a roster built around star power, stability, and identity, allowing Schwarber to walk would have required significant justification to a fanbase deeply connected to his production and personality.
“I felt optimistic in our conversations,” Dombrowski said. “I was optimistic because I was sure Schwarbs wanted to come back. He liked it here and we wanted him back … We wanted to get things done and he enjoyed his experience a lot here, and we were financially in a position to make him a Phillie once again.”
Schwarber, 32, had a career year in 2025. He played all 162 games, finished second for the National League MVP Award, and was named by his peers as the MLBPA’s Outstanding Player in the NL. He led Major League Baseball with 132 RBI, hit 56 home runs — the second-highest single-season total in franchise history — and posted a .928 OPS with a 150 OPS+ over 724 plate appearances.
Since joining the Phillies in 2022, Schwarber has appeared in 627 games, hit 187 home runs, and produced an .856 OPS. He has scored at least 100 runs in each of his four seasons in Philadelphia and logged three consecutive years with at least 100 walks and 100 RBI. The Phillies have reached the postseason in all four of his seasons with the club.
Schwarber said the connection with the city had a meaningful impact on his decision.
“Resonating with an organization, and with a fanbase is a huge part of why you do it,” Schwarber said. “You want people and kids to be at a game and at the end of the day look up and seeing people wearing your jersey. Or have a kid tell mom and dad, hey I want to be like Kyle or whatever it is. Those are things that you don't take lightly. Those moments [with fans asking him to stay in Philly] are awesome. Those are things you forget.”
Late in July, fans at Citizens Bank Park circulated a makeshift “Declaration of Schwarber,” a play on the Declaration of Independence that read, “We the people of Philadelphia didn’t fight the British just to lose Schwarber.”
Those moments, Schwarber said, stayed with him.
“I have that, I've got that in my possession,” he said. “Those are things that you truly respect as a fanbase. You hope as a ballplayer that at the end of the day you are going to leave your mark on an organization and a fanbase. I'm glad I'm going to have five more years to do that here in Philadelphia.”
The negotiations weren’t one-sided. The Orioles reportedly matched Philadelphia’s offer at five years and $150 million. The Pirates and Reds were also involved, each believed to have offered deals in the range of $120 million. Ultimately, Schwarber chose the Phillies, where he has become an offensive anchor, a clubhouse presence, and a player whose connection with the city carries both competitive and cultural value.
Schwarber said his charitable roots in the city — particularly the way Philadelphia embraced his causes — also played a significant role in his return.
“I think that's another big thing that matters, right? Because that's something that matters to me and my family. And I cannot say enough great words about how the Philadelphia organization, the Phillies’ staff, our players, and how everyone supports each other in those matters.
“And those are questions that you ask in free agency — it's not all just baseball. There’s a lot of different things that you have to ask. Those are things that come up, and also knowing that the military family, the players, the front office, the coaches, everyone wants to support each other is a huge factor.
“Like I said, that's another driving factor. We've done some really good work in Philadelphia, and now that we're going to be signing up here for five more years, we're so excited to get that opportunity and keep building on something great here.”
That connection deepened during a historic 2025 season in which Schwarber redefined expectations for left-handed hitters facing left-handed pitching. He hit .252 with a .964 OPS and a record 23 home runs against left-handers — the most ever in a single season by a left-handed batter. Against left-handed relievers, he hit .305/.427/.720 with 14 home runs, setting another MLB record.
His profile grew further at the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta, where he homered on all three swings in the event’s first-ever swing-off to lift the National League to a 4–3 win. He became the second Phillies player to win All-Star Game MVP honors, joining Johnny Callison in 1964.
Schwarber now sits in a position where he needs 140 home runs to reach the 500-homer milestone — an attainable mark, assuming he stays healthy over the life of his contract.
Manager Rob Thomson said Schwarber remains the heartbeat for a club aiming to get over the postseason hump and secure the franchise's first championship since 2008.
“I think just his work ethic. The body's gotten better over time. He's in the best shape of his life right now, and I don't think that that's going to change. He's so intelligent. He sees the game a little bit different than a lot of other guys, and he works at it, watches a lot of film.
“I think there's a really good chance that he's going to maintain this level. I mean, this was an unbelievable year for him. So I don't think we can expect this every year, but I still think he's going to be a high-level performer.”
A native of Middletown, Ohio, Schwarber was drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Cubs in 2014 and helped Chicago win the 2016 World Series. He played for the Nationals and Red Sox before signing with the Phillies as a free agent on March 20, 2022.
By re-signing Schwarber, the Phillies keep intact the core that has powered the franchise through four consecutive postseason appearances. The move also underscores the value he brings — on the field, in the clubhouse, and throughout a city that has embraced him as one of its defining baseball figures.
With Schwarber under contract through 2030, the Phillies retain one of the sport’s most consistent power threats and an anchor of their lineup as they continue their push for a World Series.
“We’ve done some really good work in Philadelphia, and now we get to keep building on something great here,” Schwarber said.
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