Kyle Schwarber is one of the best free agents available this winter, and the Philadelphia Phillies have been seen as the favorites to sign him to a new deal.
Schwarber is a fan favorite in Philadelphia and was the National League MVP Award runner-up last season. He led the National League in home runs and led all of baseball in RBIs. He has shown no signs of decline and has been a huge part of the Phillies’ success.
While Schwarber and the Phillies have both publicly stated their desire to extend their partnership, MLB insider and former general manager Steve Phillips thinks there is a “good chance” Schwarber leaves.
“I think there’s a good chance he could end up somewhere else,” Phillips said on MLB Network when asked about Schwarber’s chances of signing outside of Philadelphia. “I think it comes down to who’s willing to give him the extra year. He’s going to play at 33 next year. Nobody wants to go more than four years. He’s going to want the fifth year, and somebody’s going to have to do it.”
Phillips urged the Cincinnati Reds, Schwarber’s hometown team, to be the team that gives him the extra year on his contract. The Reds made the postseason last year, and could use a player like Schwarber. He has 340 career home runs and could be a player who vaults them into contention.
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