The Philadelphia Phillies appear to be inching closer toward keeping Kyle Schwarber with the organization.
Of all of the team’s free agents this offseason, Schwarber is the top priority, and the others don’t even come close to him. Dave Dombrowski knows how much of an impact he provides to the lineup, and he is not the guy to move on from in an effort to retool the lineup.
With some rosters already taking shape after the recent trades of Sonny Gray and the Brandon Nimmo swap for Marcus Semien, the stove is heating up in the weeks before the winter meetings. However, this recent update reveals the Phillies should feel much better about their chances of retaining Schwarber.
“The Phillies need Schwarber more than he needs them, so in pure contract terms, they may have to overpay,” an executive told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. “But he’s worth it. He’ll stay.”
The last six words, particularly the final two, should be added to the list of things Phillies fans are thankful for this year. Hearing that the Phillies appear willing to pay Schwarber what he wants is a very encouraging sign.
Schwarber has been projected by insiders to sign a four-year deal worth $160 million this winter, an average of $40 million per season. Even at 32 years old, Schwarber continues to hit the ball better than ever before as he has hit 94 home runs over the last two seasons.
The Phillies should be willing to go up to $180 million or possibly more for Schwarber if his services turn into a bidding war. However, this news is certainly a major step in the right direction for a team trying to win its division once again and push for the World Series.
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