In case you missed it, we here at TGP have officially started our offseason series where we take a look back at every player who suited up for the Phillies during the season. The series kicked off with a look at one of the Phillies biggest questions of the offseason in J.T. Realmuto. So, now let’s continue that series with the other big question mark on the agenda in Kyle Schwarber.
2025 stats:
724 PA, .240/.365/.563, 56 HR, 132 RBI, 27.2 K%, 14.9 BB%, 152 wRC+, 4.9 fWAR
What went right
There’s no doubt about it; Kyle
Schwarber had one of the best seasons of any player in Phillies history. He led the National League with 56 home runs, coming just two shy of tying Ryan Howard’s franchise record of 58 set in 2006. Still, Schwarber joined Howard as the only players in Phillies history to slug at least 50 homers in a season and broke a tie with Mike Schmidt for the most 45+ home run seasons in team history, as Schwarber notched his third such season in just four years in Philadelphia. Schwarber is a lock to finish among the top three in MVP voting for the NL but will likely finish as the runner up behind Shohei Ohtani.
The highlight of the Summer of Schwarbombs came on August 28th against the Atlanta Braves when Schwarber became the fourth Phillie and 21st player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game. In addition to the historic display of power, Schwarber also broke the franchise record for RBIs in a game, collecting nine in a 19-4 rout that featured seven total home runs for the Phillies. You’ve seen the highlights of that night at least a hundred times by now, but why not make it 101?
Not to be overshadowed by his record setting home runs, but Schwarber also became a more complete hitter in 2025. He cut his strikeout rate for the second straight season while still posting the best hard-hit rate (59.6%) of his career. Schwarber also finished his transformation against same-sided pitching that began in 2024, as he destroyed left-handed pitching to the tune of a .964 OPS and 23 home runs. Those 23 homers broke the record for most left-handed home runs off of a left-handed pitcher that had stood since 1949 when Stan Musial victimized same-sided pitching for 22 home runs.
What went wrong
Unfortunately for Schwarber and the Phillies, the slugger’s magical season did not carry over to the postseason. He entered the NLDS against the Dodgers on a late season swoon, as Schwarber was in the midst of an 0-16 skid and was hitting just .204 in the month of September. Those struggles carried over into the postseason, as Schwarber went 3-16 (.188) with 8 strikeouts to 2 walks in the four games against the Dodgers. He did hit two home runs in the Phillies lone win in Game 3 of the NLDS, but overall, his lack of production was among the chief reasons for the Phillies’ early exit. Schwarber wasn’t alone in that regard though, as both Bryce Harper and Trea Turner also struggled to provide offense outside of Game 3.
The future with the Phillies
That is the hundred-million-dollar question of the offseason. As you are well aware, Kyle Schwarber will officially become a free agent after the conclusion of the World Series. He will enter the market as the consensus second best available hitter behind Kyle Tucker, and that is only because Schwarber will be 33 years old on Opening Day and is essentially locked as a designated hitter.
The Phillies are reportedly highly motivated to retain Schwarber, but he will be seeking a five-year deal. It’s difficult to see many teams being willing to offer that to a 33-year-old DH, even one of Schwarber’s pedigree. There also are not many other big spenders besides the Phillies that seem primed to enter the Schwarber sweepstakes. The Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani entrenched at DH for the foreseeable future and the Yankees have Giancarlo Stanton under contract for three more seasons. The Mets theoretically have an opening for Schwarber, but they are expected to focus their resources on starting pitching and may want to keep DH open for Juan Soto.
The only other teams that have largely been linked to Schwarber are the Cincinatti Reds and the Chicago Cubs. The Reds made the postseason on the heels of the Mets’ epic collapse but were quickly dispatched by the Dodgers in the Wild Card round. They are in desperate need of power, as they ranked 21st in total home runs and slugging percentage. There’s also the added connection of Schwarber having grown up in nearby Middleton, Ohio. Despite this, it’s hard to see the Reds being willing to pay what it would cost to sign Schwarber. Cincinatti was ranked 19th in payroll for 2025, 23rd in 2024, and 27th in 2023. Spending really hasn’t been their M.O., but perhaps that could change this offseason.
The Cubs on the other hand had the fifth highest payroll in 2025 and are coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the rival Brewers in Game 5 of the NLDS. Chicago has its own business to take care of with Kyle Tucker’s free agency, but it’s possible they could look to Schwarber as a backup plan if Tucker goes elsewhere or if he is out of their price range. Schwarber of course was drafted by the Cubs and was a part of the team that finally broke the curse and won the World Series in 2016. He became a Chicago legend that season when he returned early from an early season ACL tear to play in the World Series and go 7-17 (.412) at the plate. Are the Cubs willing to extend their payroll a little higher to bring Schwarber back into the fold?
The widespread belief is that Schwarber will indeed be back in Philadelphia in 2026, but nothing is for certain. If he is elsewhere, the Phillies would have to find a way to replace his power, as he accounted for 26% of their 212 HRs, and his highly respected leadership in the clubhouse.
