Phillies president Dave Dombrowski had his two cents about Bryce Harper. “He’s still an All-Star-caliber player. He didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past. And I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or if he continues to be good.” That didn’t sit well with Harper, especially given his desire to stay “here [Phillies] for the next 13 years.”

But Harper’s 2025 numbers haven’t been up to his usual standards: 27 home runs, 75 RBIs, a .261 average, and an .844 OPS. And amidst all that, another storyline is brewing with Kyle Schwarber. He’s been rumored to be on his way out of Philadelphia for a while now, though there’s reportedly one unique factor that could convince him to stay.

“While Schwarber will certainly be eager to earn as much money as possible following his outstanding season, he ought to consider one connection many don’t talk about enough: the one he has with Philly hitting coach Kevin Long,” Fansided’s Zachary Rotman pointed out.

Phillies’ batting coach Kevin Long’s relationship with Schwarber goes back years.

Schwarber’s always seemed to click when he’s working with Kevin Long, and that partnership has paid off big time in the Phillies, just like it did back in 2019 with the Nationals.

That year, under Long’s guidance, Schwarber posted a .910 OPS in 72 games before being traded to the Red Sox.

Fast-forward to his Phillies years, and the story’s pretty similar.

With Long back by his side, Schwarber’s taken his game to another level. His OPS has climbed from .687 in 2022 all the way up to .964 this season. And Long himself wants Schwarber to stay back.

“I think it would be devastating to this organization and this fan base and everybody involved if he weren’t a Phillie. So we’ll see where it ends up, but I feel very confident that he’ll be back.”

So, could Schwarber really walk away from that kind of chemistry and success?

The Phillies’ magic wand might fall short for Schwarber

While the Phillies are surely at the forefront to land Schwarber again, a few suitors might be too good for them.

The second in the race is the Mets. Steve Cohen has never been shy about spending money to chase championships. So, just when the Mets suffered from a below-par offense despite having names like Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, Schwarber could be a welcoming addition.

Also, with Starling Marte heading to free agency, there’s a clear opening for Schwarber. If they don’t manage to re-sign Pete Alonso, the need for another big-time power hitter only gets more urgent.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are in a similar spot.

They desperately need more offense this winter, and few fits make more sense than Schwarber. The Tigers finished in 11th this year in terms of slugging. Thus, bringing in a consistent power bat like Schwarber could stabilize things fast.

So, while the Phillies might have the inside track thanks to his connection with Kevin Long, keeping Schwarber won’t be a walk in the park with teams like the Mets and Tigers lurking.