Kyle Schwarber Exclusive: All-Star Slugger Would ‘Love’ to Work Out Contract Extension with Phillies

SCOTTSDALE — Kyle Schwarber has looked right at home during his three seasons in Philadelphia and hopes the city will remain his residence for years to come.

The All-Star slugger told Sports Talk Philly on Wednesday that he would love to come to terms on a contract extension with the club.

Schwarber, 31, is in the final year of a four-year, $79 million contract he signed in 2022.

“I’ve enjoyed my time so much,” Schwarber said before teeing off at the WM Open Pro-Am golf tournament. “I was with the Cubs for how many years, and then I signed the one-year deal with Boston. Being here, it feels like home now. I’d love to keep that going for as long as I can. Hopefully we can win multiple World Series in the years to come.”

Schwarber said those discussions could heat up when Spring Training begins later this month.

“I haven’t gone down to Spring (Training) yet, but there’s interest on my side, and we’ll see if there’s interest on their side,” Schwarber said. “We’ll go from there.”

Schwarber batted .248 last season with 38 homers, 104 RBIs and an OPS of .851. 

He had an on-base percentage of .366 and led the league in walks, which was a big reason why he batted leadoff, but manager Rob Thomson recently said Trea Turner would likely assume that role in 2025.

Schwarber said it doesn’t matter to him where he hits in the lineup.

“I’m going to do what they tell me to do,” Schwarber said. “For us, it’s all about trying to find the best possible way to win a game. No one has a personal attachment to where they hit. They just go out there wherever their name is written, and they go hit. If we feel like that’s the best lineup, we’re going to do it, and wherever I hit that day, I’m going to do it to my best ability.”

Schwarber said he will tweak his mentality in the box depending on the situation, as he was more apt to take pitches as the leadoff hitter. But he pointed out that it wouldn’t be a huge change, as leading off in the first inning is the only time it’s guaranteed to happen in a game.

“I don’t think the position in the order is such a big thing,” Schwarber said.