Dave Dombrowski shared after the season, “We’d love to bring Kyle Schwarber back. It’s a priority for us. He knows it. But he’s a free agent, and you never know what happens.” The Philadelphia Phillies want Kyle Schwarber back, but just wanting him isn’t enough to make it happen.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers identified the Yankees as a legitimate threat to Philadelphia’s hopes of retaining their power hitter.

Rogers wrote that Schwarber “is one of those rare players—think Marcus Semien—who will make more money in his mid-30s than he did previously. He should sign for much more than $79 million, what he just made in his previous deal with Philadelphia.” The comparison to Semien is important because the infielder signed a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers in December 2021 when he was 31 years old. Schwarber’s path is similar, too.

His 187 home runs in four seasons are enough to warrant a big raise over his recent $79 million deal. He hit 56 home runs and drove in 132 runs, both of which were the most in the National League and the best in Major League Baseball. .240/.365/.563 broke his previous career highs of 47 home runs and 104 RBIs.

Rogers further noted that “the Phillies need him more than he needs them, according to insiders. How do you replace 187 home runs over the past four years? You don’t.” The Phillies wouldn’t have gotten 96 wins had it not been for Kyle. Not just the clubhouse, his influence in the community is undeniable, too.

Todd Zolecki from MLB.com shared, “Occasionally, voters from other cities will call or send a text/email and ask what I thought about a particular Phillies player’s season. I got a few calls about Schwarber. I mentioned how indispensable he was offensively to a 96-win team.”

Yet, the Yankees’ connection with him strengthens when considering their lineup needs.

“He could also balance out the Yankees’ lineup if Cody Bellinger walks. Can you imagine his home run totals with the short porch at Yankee Stadium?” Rogers noted.

Schwarber hit 35 home runs against fastballs, which was the third most in the Majors. Only Cal Raleigh (39) and Aaron Judge (36) had more. Kyle Schwarber’s great play in the postseason made him even more valuable.

He hit two home runs in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, one of which was 455 feet long. This saved Philadelphia from being eliminated right away. That clutch performance, along with his 40-home run seasons in 2022, 2023, and 2025, makes him one of the best designated hitters on the market. But he knows how hard it is to be a free agent.

“Doesn’t feel good. You just make a lot of different relationships in the clubhouse, and you never know how it’s going to work out,” Schwarber shared. “You make so many personal relationships with guys, you spend how much time with these guys throughout the course of the year. They become family.” Those relationships now face the ultimate test against financial reality and competitive opportunity.

Phillies lose Harrison Bader as Kyle Schwarber decision looms

While the Philadelphia Phillies think about Kyle Schwarber’s future, they’re already dealing with another player departure. The Phillies took a chance on Harrison Bader at the trade deadline and got him from Minnesota. The veteran center fielder paid off right away.

He played in 50 games, starting 43 of them. He had a batting average of .305, an on-base percentage of .361, and a slugging percentage of .463. He also hit five home runs during the important stretch run.

But when the mutual option deadline arrived, Bader chose his own path.

According to the team’s announcement via X, “He has declined his portion,” leaving behind a sure $10 million to try free agency. The nine-year veteran, who played for the Cardinals, Yankees, Mets, Twins, Reds, and Phillies and won a Gold Glove, thinks his late-season surge deserves a better deal.

Spotrac says that Bader may get a two-year, $20 million deal on the open market. The prediction depends on one important thing: it will have to be based on a new deal that shows how he did at the end of the season.

Now, Bader really wants that second guaranteed year because it gives him security beyond 2026 that his mutual option couldn’t.