Kyle Schwarber is well aware that this season might be his final one with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Since being non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs, Schwarber has moved between three teams. He excelled with the Washington Nationals, only to be traded; he shined with the Boston Red Sox, yet they let him walk in free agency. Now, he’s thriving in his fourth year as a Phillie.
Before the 2022 season, Schwarber signed a four-year, $79 million deal. Given the way he’s performing this year—arguably the best of his career—he’s certainly worth a similar contract. Despite the Phillies being a big-market team with the third-highest payroll in baseball, it’s never clear how they’ll value him until the offseason.
With free agency just a couple of months away, Schwarber reflected on his past exits and hopes he’s left a meaningful mark on Philadelphia fans.
“When I first reached the majors with the Cubs, even after making the playoffs and winning the World Series the following year, you think, ‘I’ll be here forever. We have such a great core,’” Schwarber told USA Today’s Gabe Lacques. “Then the business side of the game hits. As a player, you want to leave a lasting impression on a fan base and organization, and that’s not something you take lightly.
“I hope I did it in Chicago, in Washington, in Boston, even if just for a short time. And if this is my last year here, I hope I did it in Philadelphia. You pour everything you have into the team, the city, your teammates, and trying to win. You just hope it becomes home.”
Schwarber has been outstanding on the field, but his impact off it may be even more significant. At 32, he has become the heart of the Phillies’ clubhouse, knowing just what to say to engage the passionate Philadelphia fan base. And as fans from his previous teams know well, losing a player like him can leave a lasting sting.
