Story by
Did Kyle Schwarber's All-Star Game Heroics Drive Up His Price With Free Agency Looming?
- Story by
- Did Kyle Schwarber's All-Star Game Heroics Drive Up His Price With Free Agency Looming?
Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Kyle Schwarber put on a thrilling performance at the All-Star Game Tuesday night while taking home MVP honors. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger smashed three home runs in his three allowed swings in the first-ever extra-innings swing-off, leading the NL over the AL. Will this help him when he hits free agency after the season?
Schwarber has been the Phillies' best hitter all season, finishing the first half with 30 home runs and a .923 OPS while being selected as an All-Star for the third time in his career. He's in the final year of a four-year, $79 million contract he signed ahead of the 2022 season, which turned out to be a steal for the Phillies.
Advertisement
During his time in Philadelphia, he's put up 161 home runs, .847 OPS, 132 OPS+ and 9.3 bWAR. On top of that, he's been the unquestioned leader in the clubhouse and the Phillies have reached the postseason every year with Schwarber, including a World Series appearance in 2022.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark told the "Foul Territory" podcast that Schwarber's MVP performance will drive up his free agency value.
"I've been honestly thinking about, what does this do for Kyle Schwarber 's trip to free agency? I think he was going to get paid even though there's really no precedent I think for a contract for a guy who fits his profile," Stark said.
"I've talked to players in that National League clubhouse about that guy afterwards and just hearing Kyle Stowers say, 'That guy's a legend and this just made him more of a legend.'"
Advertisement
Stark then concluded: "Does this help Kyle Schwarber's trip to free agency? Because I'm going to vote yes."
Schwarber will be one of the top bats on the free-agent market this winter. He and the Phillies talked about a contract extension this past offseason, but no deal materialized and talks were tabled. However, Schwarber has repeatedly said he wants to stay in Philadelphia and it would be a devastating loss to the Phillies if he leaves.
ESPN's Jeff Passan previously predicted Schwarber will land a four-year, $100 million deal, but his All-Star heroics could push that number higher.
Advertisement
Related Headlines
