Kyle Schwarber is one of the best free agents on the open market this season, and the Phillies will have to fend off plenty of other suitors to keep him around.
Schwarber was an MVP finalist last season and has done nothing but produce since joining the Phillies. Since signing with the team, he has hit 187 home runs and notched 434 RBIs. Last season, he led the National League with 56 home runs and a league-leading 132 RBIs.
He is going to be one of the most coveted free agents this winter, but Bleacher Report’s Erik Beaston recently predicted he would re-sign with the Phillies.
“Ultimately, though, Schwarber is so beloved in Philadelphia, both by fans and teammates alike, that the Phillies should be considered the favorite to re-sign him until something more concrete than mere interest from the other teams emerges,” wrote Beaston.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently named the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates as suitors for Schwarber. He would be a great addition to any contender or fringe team, but he will not be cheap.
Schwarber is bound to be paid, but there may be concerns about paying a power hitter as he enters his age-33 season. He has not shown the Phillies any reason to think he will decline. He declined a qualifying offer, so if any other team signs him, they will not only have to pay him, but will also lose draft capital.
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