The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, fueled by another standout performance from MVP candidate.
He crushed two home runs, including a grand slam, bringing his season total to 40 — the highest in the National League. As he continues to power the Phillies’ offense, some fans are growing concerned he may not remain with the team much longer.
The slugger is positioning himself for a massive payday as a free agent this winter, with the potential to draw long-term offers from multiple teams if the Phillies don’t act first.
MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes suggested in a mailbag that a four-year, \$125 million extension could be enough to keep Schwarber from hitting the open market.
At 33 next season and limited to designated hitter duties, Schwarber’s defensive value is minimal, but his offensive production is at an all-time high.
With several contracts — including those of JT Realmuto, Ranger Suarez, and Jordan Romano — coming off the books, the Phillies are projected to have a \$185 million CBT payroll next year, giving them room to make a \$30 million-per-year offer.
Still, committing heavily to an aging DH carries risk. The Phillies may prefer letting Schwarber test free agency and then matching the best offer to avoid overpaying. However, if they aim to lock him up before a possible MVP win drives his value higher, a \$125 million deal could get it done.
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