The countdown to the trade deadline has never been louder at Citizens Bank Park. Kyle Schwarber’s contract ends after this season, but the front office is strangely quiet. Bryce Harper, on the other hand, is not staying quiet. He is passionately supporting his teammate.

If you ever wondered how important Schwarber is to the Phillies, Saturday’s game was the perfect answer. He hit a crucial grand slam, and with help from Harper’s two-run blast, they led an exciting 9–5 rally over the Angels.

Harper is very much aware of Kyle’s impact in the lineup. In the post-game interview, when asked about the management’s plan for Schwarber, he didn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts unfiltered, saying, “They’re gonna make the best decision for our team. And if he’s in those plans, obviously, he should be here. He’s been great for us. He’s our leader. He’s the guy that talks on the bus and everything else, right? He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had, ever been around. He keeps it relaxed every day and he understands what it’s like to be a big league or big leaguer and he comes up in those moments and those opportunities and he comes through every single time.”

And he didn’t stop there, as he further added, “So I can’t see him in any other uniform and I think he deserves to be here.” Well, Schwarber has been a cornerstone for Philadelphia. With his exceptional blend of power and plate discipline, he is an ideal player for the Phillies. In 2024, he joined an elite group of MLB players by achieving 100 runs, 100 RBIs, and 100 walks. He was one of only three players in the entire league to accomplish this feat, alongside Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

And his performance for this year? It’s been right up to the mark again! His slash line as of now is .251/.382/.563 with 32 homers and an OPS of .945. Add to that his All-Star game performance, where he hit three home runs in the first MLB swing-off, powering NL to victory.

Schwarber’s four-year, $79 million deal was signed in March 2022. The Phillies started talking about an extension during spring training, but the talks haven’t materialized yet. However, support for Schwarber is growing. And, now, even the front office is joining in.

The Phillies rally around Kyle Schwarber

Recently, the Phillies owner John Middleton, made it quite clear that the front office is not having any second thoughts: “We love him. We want to keep him .” He talked about how Schwarber is “a great person in the dugout” and “a great person in the clubhouse.”

Even manager Rob Thomson somewhat agreed with what Middleton said. After the Angels game, when asked about his performance, he said, “There’s a moment every other night… Thank God we got him… he’s really something.” Schwarber’s consistent presence gives the team confidence.

And he himself loves the club too. When asked about his time in Philly and how loved he feels, the 32-year-old said, “It’s super nice… you feel like you’ve been able to really be yourself and settle into yourself… feeling like this place has embraced me. The team, my teammates, staff, the fan base.”

With Harper praising him up front, the front office promising to be loyal, and the manager emphasizing on his importance, it’s highly unlikely that the Phillies will let Schwarber go. So, is it safe to say he can sign the extension deal anytime? What are your thoughts?