The Phillies’ hidden Schwarber insurance plan, uncovered by Jeff Passan, turns a quiet offseason into a statement of absolute intent. DD
The Phillies would rather not walk away empty-handed.
Coming off a career year in 2025, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber will have a healthy free agent market this offseason. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Phillies aren’t the only team trying to sign Schwarber, so according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan they could have a backup plan if he signs elsewhere.
Schwarber’s market is anticipated to be widespread, considering his age (33) next season and his status as a full-time designated hitter will keep his value under control. The Phillies want to re-sign him and are the obvious potential destination, but Kyle Tucker makes sense as a backup plan in case Schwarber bolts, according to Passan.
“If Schwarber leaves Philadelphia,” Passan wrote in his most recent offseason preview. “Tucker makes plenty of sense there, particularly as the Phillies pivot to get younger, with 21-year-old Justin Crawford expected to enter spring training as the favorite to win their center-field job.”
Kyle Tucker would upgrade Phillies offense if Kyle Schwarber leaves
Schwarber was a perennial home run threat in his four seasons with the Phillies and topped it off with a career-high and NL-leading 56 home runs this season. The number of teams interested are likely to push Schwarber’s average annual value of his next deal over $30 million a year, per Passan.
If for some reason the Phillies don’t want to match Schwarber’s asking price that the market dictates, they could look at Tucker as a solid replacement. The 28-year-old is heavily regarded as the best player available this offseason.
Tucker played his first seven seasons with the Houston Astros before playing out his contract year with the Chicago Cubs. He has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, but any risk is worth it, given his impact on the field.
He finished 2025 with a .266 batting average, an .841 OPS, 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 136 games. Tucker is the definition of a well-rounded five-tool player (subscription required). He hits for a consistent average while always being a threat to hit a home run. He’s a former Gold Glove Award winner, four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. Not only that, but he also plays right field, a position of desperate need for the Phillies.
Signing Tucker would be the ultimate win for Philadelphia. Passan mentions that the Phillies are actively shopping right fielder Nick Castellanos. The Phillies would prefer to move his $20 million owed and open a spot on the roster for 21-year-old top outfield prospect Justin Crawford to play center field every day.
The Phillies are seemingly approaching this offseason differently from years prior. They know the roster has to change to make room on the payroll to maximize their World Series window. Schwarber has been one of the best Phillies the franchise has seen, but even they have a cap on what they can shell out. If the Phillies move on and allocate that money to sign Tucker instead, it would be hard not to see that as the better option, assuming they deal Castellanos.
With Tucker’s projected contract to be north of $400 million, it would be another massive contract that the Phillies would be on the hook for. However, what makes it a little more digestible is to know that the outfield is locked down for years to come with one of the most dynamic players in MLB.
