Kyle Schwarber is off to a red-hot start in 2025, and as he keeps racking up home runs, his value in free agency is climbing. In a recent column, ESPN’s Jeff Passan included Schwarber in a list of players with the potential to land $100 million contracts — a surprising projection given his age and position.
Passan acknowledged that giving a soon-to-be 33-year-old designated hitter a nine-figure deal is unconventional but argued Schwarber is a unique case. “He’s consistently productive, a strong clubhouse presence, and no one would hesitate to pay him $25 million a year,” Passan noted, especially in a free agent class lacking elite hitters.
Schwarber’s performance backs up the hype — he’s posted an OPS of at least .817 in each of his three-plus years with Philadelphia and has hit 38+ home runs each season. Though he strikes out often, he draws plenty of walks and has lowered his strikeout rate to 21.9% this year, well below his career average
Currently finishing a four-year, $79 million contract with the Phillies, Schwarber reportedly declined an extension this past offseason — possibly eyeing a bigger payday. His importance to the team is clear: since 2022, he’s accounted for nearly 22% of Philadelphia’s home runs, and in 2025 he leads the team with 11 homers.
With Bryce Harper struggling and Alec Bohm yet to find his rhythm, Schwarber remains a crucial offensive force. If he stays healthy, the Phillies may have no choice but to offer a significant deal to keep him.
Would you like a visual chart of Schwarber’s performance trends over the past few seasons?
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