Phillies Owner John Middleton Expresses Commitment to Kyle Schwarber

“We love him. We want to keep him,” John Middleton declared emphatically regarding Kyle Schwarber's future with the Philadelphia Phillies. The owner’s enthusiasm was palpable before Friday's game against the Angels at Citizens Bank Park, where he addressed questions about Schwarber's potential re-signing.

Middleton's confidence in Schwarber is unwavering, dismissing any need for external motivation tied to the All-Star Game MVP award. “We don’t need any motivation whatsoever,” he stated, reinforcing the team's commitment to the player.

As Schwarber approaches free agency after the 2025 season, his performance this year has positioned him for a significant salary increase. With 31 home runs already, he is on track to join an elite group of Phillies players, potentially becoming only the second to hit over 50 home runs in a single season, following Ryan Howard's 58 in 2006.

Since joining the Phillies in 2022, Schwarber has made a substantial impact, ranking third in home runs across Major League Baseball with 162, trailing only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. His postseason contributions are equally impressive; he shares the lead for the most home runs since 2022 with teammate Bryce Harper, each hitting 12.

Schwarber boasts a career OPS of .847 with the Phillies, earning two All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger Award in 2022. His four-year, $79 million contract has proven to be a savvy investment for the franchise.

“We need no motivation whatsoever when it comes to Kyle Schwarber,” Middleton reiterated. “He’s great. We thought he was great when we signed him four years ago. There’s nothing Kyle does that surprises us. No matter how great he is, we expect that from him. He’s a great person in the dugout. He’s a great person in the clubhouse.”