Will Schwarber Sign Phillies Contract? MLB GM Would Be 'Shocked' If Star Doesn't Stay

One MLB general manager can't envision Kyle Schwarber leaving the Philadelphia Phillies this winter.

"I'd be shocked if Schwarber doesn't re-sign in Philly," the GM told USA Today's Bob Nightengale. "[President] Dave Dombrowski knows much he means to that club and won't let him go."

The Phillies won't have much hope of retaining Schwarber on a hometown discount.

The three-time All-Star led the National League with 56 home runs and drove in an MLB-high 132 runs. His .563 slugging percentage and 150 OPS+ were both career highs as well, per Baseball Reference.

Schwarber's 2nd-Deck Home Run

00:28

Schwarber is the best pure slugger on the market. He offers little to no value defensively but is a pretty safe bet to hit 30 home runs and slug around .500 in a given year. And at 32, his power shouldn't fall off a cliff anytime soon.

Unless they're pivoting toward a reset, the Phillies need to keep Schwarber in Philly. Taking him out of the lineup would be a blow to their World Series hopes in 2026.

But MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reported on Nov. 25 the two sides "are not close to a deal."

ESPN's Buster Olney reported Friday that the New York Mets challenging one of their biggest rivals in the National League East for Schwarber's signature was "the juiciest rumor I heard this week."

Colleague Jeff Passan added that "several teams' fortunes" hinge on Schwarber's decision and listed off the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles in addition to the Phillies and Mets. The MLB insider also reported a five-year contract is believed to be the asking price.

Maybe having so many potential options will ultimately result in Schwarber getting his preferred offer from Philadelphia.