Now 32, Schwarber is one of several core Phillies players scheduled to hit free agency after this season, along with catcher J.T. Realmuto and lefty Ranger Suárez. As owner John Middleton said Friday, keeping Schwarber beyond 2025 is a priority. Here's what Middleton told reporters, including the Associated Press:

John Smoltz praises Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber for a legendary Home Run Derby swing-off performance at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

After winning the World Series in 2008, and getting back to there the next season, former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro traded for Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence and signed Cliff Lee as a free agent to go along with a star-studded lineup.