Kyle Schwarber Admits 'Unknowns' With Phillies Future, Looks Forward to Free Agency
The Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber won All-Star Game MVP after hitting three home runs in three swings during the decisive swing-off.
Schwarber's home runs in the swing-off were a microcosm of how valuable he is as a player. Since joining the Phillies, he has been a major part of the team's success. However, he will be a free agent after this season, and the Phillies face a difficult decision.
Schwarber will be 33 next season and will likely be looking for a bigger deal than his current four-year, $79 million deal. However, he provides next to nothing defensively, and it's unclear if the Phillies would want to commit $100 million to a designated hitter closer to the end of his career than ever. Schwarber talked about the uncertainty of his future during an interview with "Baseball Isn't Boring."
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in...
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. More
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
"I don't (feel different)," Schwarber said on feeling different as he heads into free agency, per a clip posted on X by "Baseball Isn't Boring." "I just feel like you're experiencing a 'true free agency,' and knowing kind of what happens throughout that time is going to be a little more settling to know the ins and outs of it. Also, there are a lot of unknowns. We'll see what happens here with Philly. If there's something to be struck, there's something to be struck, but if not, then it's going to be fun."
While it sounded like staying with the Phillies would be his first choice, he did think the free agency process would be fun if the team could not keep him around. He has 314 career home runs and would be a huge name on the open market. He has a .923 OPS this season, showing he can still smash the ball.
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