Free Agent Profile: Kyle Schwarber, DH

Position: DH B/T: L/R
Player Data: Age: 32 (03/05/1993)

2025 Traditional Stats: 162 G, 724 PA, .240/.365/.563/.928, 145 H, 56 HR, 132 RBI
2025 Advanced Stats: 152 wRC+, 27.2 K%, 14.9 BB%, .253 BABIP, .414 xwOBA, 4.9 fWAR

Rundown

As the fourth pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Kyle Schwarber burst onto the scene with the Chicago Cubs in 2015 with a game centered around his impressive ability to hit for power and an above-average walk rate. Scouts were enamored with his raw power right off the bat, while his fielding earned sub-par marks. He hit 16 HRs during his rookie year after being called up to be a DH during some interleague games. He saw some time at catcher early in his career and a few games at first base, but eventually settled as an outfielder during most of his time in Chicago. The constant question mark for Schwarber, which remains to some extent today, was finding a place to slot him in the field and whether he could hit for a passable average. The advent of the universal DH has, of course, reduced the concerns of the former.

His tenure with the Chicago Cubs, which included a 2016 World Series ring, came to an end after a disappointing 2020 season, during which he posted a .188/.308/.393 slash line. He was non-tendered by Chicago and went on to sign a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals, where a torrid June led to a trade to the Boston Red Sox and a trip to the 2021 ALCS. He proceeded to decline his end of a mutual option to test the free agent market once again.

Schwarber then signed a four-year deal worth $79 million with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he has found the most success in his career. With 187 HRs over four years, he has been a central piece in the Phillies’ lineup. Although he posted batting averages of .218 and .197 during his first two years, he still crushed 46 and 47 HRs, good for second-best in baseball each season. He has moved towards a primary DH role over the last two years and set the single-season record for most home runs from the leadoff position (15) in 2024.

His 2025 season saw him set career highs in homers (56), which led the National League, and RBIs (132), which led the entirety of MLB. A relatively healthy presence, Schwarber has only missed 21 games over four years with Philadelphia and played in all 162 during the 2025 season. His wRC+ (152) and OPS+ (150) were both career highs, speaking to how dangerous a slugger he was throughout the year.

He even showed some movement on the basepaths this year with 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts. His career BB%, 14.2%, has been on display in the last few years, as he has drawn over 100 walks every season since 2023. His Average Exit Velocity (94.3 MPH) and barrels (85) in 2025 both ranked fourth in MLB.

While he ranked in the 97th percentile in walk percentage in 2025 (14.9%), he’s still prone to the strikeout as a power hitter. He landed in the 11th percentile (27.9%) in strikeout percentage, faring around the same in 2024 (13th percentile, 28.5%) and 12th percentile in 2023 (29.9%).

Contract

Amongst names like Kyle Tucker, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, and Framber Valdez, Kyle Schwarber is one of the top free agents in this year’s class. Although he is arguably a full-time DH at this point in his career, he will still command a large contract even entering his age-33 season.

While an aging DH might not normally command a massive contract, Kyle Schwarber’s 2025 ranked amongst the 98th percentile or higher in xwOBA, xSLG, Average Exit Velocity, Barrel %, Hard-Hit % and Bat Speed.

While paying for a career year may be dangerous, he undoubtedly has the counting stats to push for a lengthy and pricey deal. His recent contract with the Phillies held an AAV of just under $20MM, and one can be sure he will command anywhere from $30-$40MM per year, considering this could be the last substantial contract he signs.

There is a full expectation that he will receive and reject the qualifying offer, but this probably will not deter teams from seeking his talents too much. He will likely seek a four or five-year deal, and may find himself receiving offers of three years with higher AAVs.

Recommendation: Worth Checking In

As the Mets navigate their lineup for next year, it isn’t easy to view Kyle Schwarber as a priority amongst their targets. With a significant decision pending regarding Pete Alonso, it would not seem like the best use of resources to target both Alonso and Schwarber. It will be one or the other, and the Mets will likely target their homegrown hero.

While it would be a boon to the Mets to steal Schwarber away from the Phillies and add him to their lineup, the likelihood seems low. With in-house options like Mark Vientos and Ryan Clifford waiting in the wings, removing some lineup flexibility by assigning a permanent DH on a high-AAV contract doesn’t seem to fit in the Mets’ philosophy.

Schwarber stands out as one of the most potent bats on the market this offseason, however, and the expectation is that David Stearns will uncover every stone possible to ensure the Mets push towards the playoffs next year.