The Philadelphia Phillies continue to sit atop the NL East and are in a favorable spot to claim the division crown for a second straight year. But they’ll have to maintain that lead without ace Zack Wheeler.
According to USA Today’s Gabe Lacques, the club has not provided a timetable for Wheeler’s recovery, and manager Rob Thomson said he won’t know if or when Wheeler can return this season until further evaluations are made.
Looking ahead to the offseason, Philadelphia faces a major financial decision—one that could determine whether Kyle Schwarber remains with the team. Bryce Harper has already made it clear how unusual it would feel without him in the clubhouse.
“I was talking to somebody the other day,” Harper told MLB.com. “And I said, ‘It would be weird not to have [Schwarber] here.’ He’s such a leader, a great teammate, and an important presence in the community. He’s the type of player a team can build around. He’s going to command a lot on the open market, but I hope he doesn’t reach free agency. We need him for years to come.”
To retain Schwarber, the Phillies may need to offer a deal in the range of five years and $150 million, averaging about $30 million annually. Some analysts believe he could even push for a bigger payday, TBOH’s Matt Davis noted.
Schwarber is expected to draw interest from several teams, but the Phillies will do everything possible to keep him. Since joining Philadelphia, he’s flourished—though his future may soon take him elsewhere.
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