When news of Kyle Schwarber's free agent contract broke last Tuesday, the immediate feeling across the Philadelphia area was elation. The Philadelphia Phillies didn't let their star slugger walk in free agency to join another club, keeping him in Philadelphia for possibly the remainder of his career.
The Phillies were seeking a few options to help bolster their roster, but Schwarber was priority No. 1 given his skill set and value as a clubhouse member. It wasn't an absolute need to have him return, given the money it took to get him, but something would have just felt off without him around even with the additional financial commitment of the five-year, $150 million deal.
Grading the Phillies' $150 million Kyle Schwarber contract
Schwarber finished runner-up to the NL MVP behind none other than two-way star Shohei Ohtani. He had a career year, and unfortunately for the Phillies, squeezed every ounce of money he could out of free agency. Schwarber hit a career high in home runs (56) and RBIs (132) that both led the National League. He also produced the excitement of a four-homer game in August.
Schwarber was going to have a higher asking price with the statement year he had, and the Phillies had to hit the number to retain him. The Phillies had their chance to extend him beforehand, but both sides were unable to find common ground.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was comfortable with Schwarber testing the market and seeking his value. Schwarber did what he needed to do but still returned after the Phillies hit a favorable number that ended the waiting period.
Breaking down the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber deal by the numbers
Schwarber's deal was near the top of the expected payouts of a designated hitter hitting the open market. He's a valuable player, and the Phillies paid a fair price for him, but before calling it a win-win, let's take a closer look at the $150 million contract.
The $150 million is stretched across the next five seasons, paying Schwarber an average of $30 million per year. The deal marks the second-highest contract among active designated hitters in both AAV and total value.
There's also a $15 million signing bonus that will be paid out in two $7.5 million installments. Those are paid out on March 15 and Oct. 25 of the upcoming 2026 season. That lowers Schwarber's 2026 salary to $18 million, saving the Phillies on payroll. His salary is then bumped to $33 million for the succeeding four years.
Phillies' Kyle Schwarber contract grade: A-
Schwarber was a home run machine every year leading up to this point, and the Phillies knew it would take a sizable chunk of money to keep him in red pinstripes, even though he'll turn 33 before next season. Preferably, the Phillies would have liked to settle on four years or less, but beggars can't be choosers.
Schwarber was one of the best sluggers available, and teams were also happy to overlook his defensive inflexibility. Schwarber had teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds willing to tack on a fifth year. With the Phillies being given a chance to match any offer, they pulled the trigger to get it done.
While $150 million might seem like a lot for a designated hitter, Schwarber isn't an ordinary player. Schwarber has been a leader in the clubhouse from the moment he joined in 2022. The younger players look up to him and the veterans respect him greatly.
The home runs are Schwarber's bread and butter, but it's also his eye at the plate that makes him valuable. Per FanGraphs, out of 145 active hitters in 2025, Schwarber swung at pitches outside the strike zone at only a 21.9 percent rate, which ranked 25th in the majors.
Schwarber was meant to be a Phillie the rest of his career, and the Phillies coughed up the money to get it done. With everything considered, an A- minus grade feels just right for the Phillies' new contract for Schwarber.