The Philadelphia Phillies are laser-focused on retaining their top two free agents, slugger Kyle Schwarber and catcher J.T. Realmuto, a goal that represents the number one priority of the team’s offseason. However, as things stand now, progress toward new contracts is minimal. According to reports from MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, the two sides are “not close to a deal” on either front, reflecting the typical early-offseason dance between clubs and high-demand agents.
The Latest on Schwarber
The first domino the Phillies hope to secure is designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, who is positioned for a major payday after a career-best 2025 season that saw him finish second in NL MVP voting with 56 home runs and a .928 OPS. Zolecki indicates that Schwarber’s agents are understandably leveraging this monstrous performance to secure a contract with a significantly higher annual value than his previous deal. While the lack of progress is reportedly frustrating some within the organization, the prevailing belief is that the popular slugger will ultimately return to Philadelphia. Schwarber is expected to seek a lucrative, multiyear commitment, potentially five years, despite entering his age-33 season.
The Latest on Realmuto
The Phillies also continue their pursuit of J.T. Realmuto, who stands out as the best catcher available in the free-agent market. Realmuto is reportedly seeking a three-year contract, a hefty ask considering he will turn 35 next season. Though his offensive production has seen a slight decline, his defensive prowess, durability, and reliability behind the plate make him an extremely valuable asset the Phillies are determined to keep. While other teams, like the Boston Red Sox, have shown interest, sources suggest that, like Schwarber, the best guess is that Realmuto ultimately re-signs with Philadelphia, cementing the core of the team for the immediate future. The length and cost of these key deals remain the primary hurdles in these critical negotiations.
A Sense of Urgency
The clock is ticking for the Phillies’ front office. While the desire to retain Schwarber and Realmuto is clear, the current contract stalemate carries significant risk. In a rapidly evolving free-agent landscape, focusing exclusively on these two players could mean missing out on crucial secondary targets— such as Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker —that could strengthen the roster even if one of the big two ultimately signs elsewhere. The Phillies cannot afford to allow these negotiations to become protracted distractions, effectively freezing their entire offseason strategy.