The Philadelphia Phillies have made their move, and it’s a bold one.
On just the second day of the MLB Winter Meetings, the Phillies have stolen the headlines by locking down one of the game’s most feared sluggers. Kyle Schwarber, the National League leader in home runs and runs batted in last season, is staying in Philadelphia on a five-year, $150 million deal, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The contract not only signals the franchise’s intent to remain a powerhouse in the National League East, but it also shuts the door on a high-profile bidding war that included division rivals and sentimental hometown connections.
Schwarber turns down Mets, Pirates, and hometown Reds
There was no shortage of suitors for Schwarber. The New York Mets reportedly made a serious push to bring him to Queens. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who continue trying to claw their way out of mediocrity, offered $120 million, an unusually aggressive move for a team of their market size. Even the Cincinnati Reds, Schwarber’s hometown club, expressed interest. In the end, sentiment and speculation took a back seat to strategy and stability. Schwarber is staying put.
Dombrowski insists the Phillies aren’t just “running it back”
For Phillies president Dave Dombrowski, re-signing Schwarber was more than just a transactional necessity. It was a philosophical statement: this team still believes its current core can win, and soon. But not everyone is convinced.
After four straight postseason exits, including two consecutive early-round eliminations, some fans have grown wary of a strategy that appears to double down on a familiar formula. However, Dombrowski pushed back on the idea that Philadelphia is simply “running it back.”
Change, he emphasized, is already underway. Veterans like Max Kepler are out. Young talent, such as Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller, is on the rise. The team is evolving, he insists, just not in a way that involves dismantling what has consistently produced regular-season success.
Realmuto looms large as next major decision
Yet one key piece remains unsigned: J.T. Realmuto. Like Schwarber, the All-Star catcher is a clubhouse leader and a fan favorite, and his market appears to be heating up. The Phillies are clearly willing to spend, but if Realmuto follows Schwarber’s path, it may take another overpay to get it done.
Still, for now, Philadelphia fans have reason to celebrate. Their MVP runner-up is back, and the Phillies have fired their first shot of the offseason, loud and clear.
