The Philadelphia Phillies are going through turbulent times right now! The reason? Firstly, their last season’s departure at an early stage, and secondly, the approaching free agency looming over them, especially for heavyweights like Kyle Schwarber. While Schwarber reveals his extension talks with the Phillies, his performance has been somewhat flat for the last couple of years. Quite surprising for a player like him, right?

First of all, Kyle Schwarber, despite being a designated hitter, cost the Phillies several games in 2023, and playing as the left fielder with a knee injury did more bad than good. However, Schwarbs feels that he still has a lot to offer and would like to become the most versatile designated hitter for the Phillies as well. But alas! Nothing has been confirmed yet, despite the club and Schwarber’s camp engaging in discussions about the extension of his contract.

So, will he make it to the Phillies’ roster another time before approaching free agency?

Well, maybe or maybe not. The Philadelphia Phillies do not have a strong outfield setup, so Schwarber can be the first choice at left field. Meanwhile, their first baseman, Bryce Harper, has already made some good advances at first base, so another few days of being a designated hitter may not cost much for the Phillies. Their manager, Rob Thomson, stated, “We’ll see. You know? Strange things happen sometimes. But I would think it’d just be here and there to give Harp a half a day.”

Based on Rob Thomson’s statement, it’s quite clear that the two-time All-Star may have very few first-base days, and he’s not going to be the primary first baseman for the Phillies. However, he still managed not to get hit by a ball across the five innings in the game against the New York Yankees, which indicates his great throws across the infield. In addition, this also justifies his accurate path to first base and ground balls to second base. So, there are likely chances of the Phillies and him finding common ground to extend the contract, right? 

Now, what lies ahead for the 32-year-old slugger?

Kyle Schwarber looking to unleash his best performance to impress the Phillies?

In case the contract extension doesn’t happen before the free agency trade, Kyle Schwarber may just go into the free agency market as a designated hitter who’s flexible to play both at left field and first base. It may also open up new opportunities for him to get the best deal and find the perfect landing spot. With the Philadelphia Phillies embarking on their journey to make a comeback after last season’s debacle, Schwarber will leave no stone unturned to show his mettle, for sure. But there’s more to it!

The power hitter’s resilience, effort, and dedication on the field will be tested while he tries to navigate the challenges he faced earlier. As his next game will be on the left field, Schwarber’s been taking time to have discussions with the infield and outfield groups and even has opted for a crash course with the veteran infield coach, Bobby Dickerson. Learning from him could bolster his approach on the field while keeping heads behind the ball, ensuring good catching ability.

Kyle Schwarber has a knack for proving doubters wrong, and Philadelphia Phillies fans are hoping he does it again. With free agency looming, will they make the call to extend him, or will they let fate take its course? Let’s hear your take—should the Phils lock him in now?