Several key Philadelphia Phillies players are set to become free agents after the 2025 season, including Ranger Suárez, J.T. Realmuto, and most notably, Kyle Schwarber.
It’s unlikely the team will retain all three, but holding onto two remains possible, with Realmuto (given the value of elite catchers) and Schwarber being the most logical candidates.
Fans in Philadelphia are strongly in favor of Schwarber returning, and according to ESPN’s Buster Olney and Paul Hembekides, the Phillies may actually find it easier to keep him than once expected.
Schwarber Might Not Have as Strong a Free Agent Market as Expected
The Phillies are expected to face some competition for Kyle Schwarber in free agency, with the Cincinnati Reds—his hometown team—likely preparing one of the more attractive offers this winter. However, according to Buster Olney and Hembo (Paul Hembekides), Schwarber’s market may not be as strong as his performance this season suggests.
Olney explained that front-office feedback has Schwarber projected in the $90–$120 million range, or roughly $30 million per year. That’s a sizable figure for a designated hitter, but lower than some had speculated. At 32 years old and limited to DH duties, teams aren’t eager to go much beyond that threshold.
Hembekides emphasized this point on social media, writing: “Schwarbs is brilliant, but teams aren’t dying to shell out massive deals to DHs in their thirties.”
He compared the situation to when Boston moved Rafael Devers. While some criticized the Red Sox, other executives praised them for avoiding what they saw as overpaying a DH. Devers has been productive for San Francisco, and the Giants remain in the playoff mix, but the deal illustrates the hesitation around paying big money for players locked into DH roles.
For Philadelphia, this hesitancy around Schwarber’s contract demands could play to their advantage. Fewer aggressive bidders increases the Phillies’ odds of keeping him, and their payroll structure can handle a $30 million annual salary—especially once Nick Castellanos’ contract expires after 2026.
Overall, this is encouraging news for the Phillies. Schwarber, who currently leads the NL with 49 home runs and tops MLB with 119 RBIs, looks like a very realistic candidate to stay in Philadelphia, thanks to other clubs’ reluctance to commit long-term money to an aging DH.
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