While the pitching market was relatively active over the first month of the 2025-26 MLB offseason, the same couldn’t be said for the hitters. That changed on December 9, as the first big move of the Winter Meetings took place. It was a re-signing, as Kyle Schwarber reportedly took a five-year deal to remain with the Phillies.
A Look at Schwarber
The 2025 campaign was a career season for Kyle Schwarber, who by every metric stood in a class of his own last season. Schwarber hit 56 home runs for the Phillies, most in the National League and second behind Cal Raleigh. He also finished fourth in the Majors in extra-base hits (81), second-most in the NL behind Ohtani.
Schwarber also set a career-high in runs batted in (132). It’s worth noting that Schwarber, generally a leadoff hitter for the Phillies, moved down in the order this season. Not only did the move allow Trea Turner to slide up but it also provided Schwarber an enhanced opportunity to drive in runs.
During the 2025 campaign, 204 of his 724 PAs came with at least a runner in scoring position. In 2024, that number was 154 out of 692.
It was a terrific season for Schwarber, who turned his career around in Washington and Boston four years ago before he signed with the Phillies in the 2021-22 offseason.
There have been virtually no players who matched what Kyle Schwarber did over his four seasons with the Phillies. For reference, he’s one of three players to hit at least 112 home runs from 2022 through 2025 and have a BB% above 14%. The only two? Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
The skillset with Schwarber is relatively simple: he’s a pull-heavy hitter with elite bat speed, will whiff and strike out a lot, but also take his walks. The 32-year-old is a great fastball hitter. This past season, he batted .308 with 35 home runs and extra-base hits off the heat.
Schwarber sees a lot of pitches (4.2 P/PA) on average. He’ll also take with regularity; Schwarber, despite seeing breaking balls at a career-high 37%, still took them to lead the Majors in most balls (452) via that pitch type.
Sure, his leniency does lead to some whiffs on breaking balls. In fact, he also led the Majors in most whiffs on those pitches inside the strike zone (89). However, he got his shots when he did.
Defensively, Kyle Schwarber has never been a great defender in left field, to say the least. He’s not an average runner by any means. However, the Phillies have worked to protect him more in the field, pushing him to be a full-time DH. After he started 103 games in 2023, he started a combined 13 between 2024 and 2025.
Per ESPN, Kyle Schwarber will re-sign with the Phillies on a five-year, $150MM extension.
Analysis
While there were reports of several teams interested in him, including the Pirates, Schwarber will remain a Phillie.
Given how well Schwarber fit, as well as the Phillies’ tendency over the years to re-sign key players (i.e., Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola), it’s not a shock to see the slugger back with Philadelphia in 2025. And while paying any player into their late-30s always comes with risk, Schwarber didn’t carry as much.
Why? Schwarber has a great eye, which should keep him plenty valuable for most, if not all, of his tenure. He’ll likely remain a full-time DH. And on top of that, the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Ballpark help, as well.
Now that Schwarber has re-signed, the rest of the offseason should be fascinating to watch, for both the Phillies and the teams that were reportedly interested in him (i.e., Mets, etc.).
The Phillies still need a catcher, as J.T. Realmuto went to free agency.
As for the other teams, Schwarber’s bat means one fewer on the market.
Check out more of our MLB coverage.