Phillies 'Want to Keep' Kyle Schwarber on New Contract, Says Owner John Middleton

Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton confirmed that the team is interested in signing designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to a new contract.

“There’s nothing Kyle does that surprises us, no matter how great he is,” Middleton said Friday, per Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic. “You expect that from Kyle. And he’s a great person in the dugout. He’s a great person in the clubhouse. We love him. We want to keep him. We don’t need any motivation whatsoever.”

Schwarber is currently playing out the final season of a four-year, $79 million contract that he signed with the Phillies in 2022.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported in April that Philadelphia offered the 32-year-old an extension during the offseason, but talks "failed to advance."

An eventual agreement on a long-term deal with the Phillies isn't out of the question, though. Schwarber discussed his interest in staying with his current team on Monday.

“Obviously there’s interest on my side, and I know that there’s going to be interest on their side," Schwarber told Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "At the end of the year, we’re going to see where that takes us, and if that’s us striking up a deal, it’s striking up a deal.”

The three-time All-Star's tenure with the Phillies has been successful, recording at least 38 home runs in each of his first three years with the organization.

In 96 games this season, Schwarber has racked up 30 homers and 69 RBIs to go along with a .247/.378/.545 slash line. He recently took home All-Star Game MVP honors.

Even though Schwarber is currently headed towards free agency, the Phillies are already looking to retain him.