Former Red Sox Star Looks Ahead To Free Agency After Playoff Exit
'You just never know how it's gonna go'
Kyle Schwarber may play his next MLB game in a different uniform.
The slugger’s superb 2025 season ended when the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated his Philadelphia Phillies with an extra-innings win in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Schwarber, who signed with Philadelphia after completing the 2021 campaign with the Boston Red Sox, heads to free agency this offseason.
An emotional Schwarber reflected on his Phillies tenure and upcoming free agency after Thursday’s 2-1 loss, per Jason Dumas of 6abc Action News.
“It doesn’t feel good,” Schwarber said of possibly playing his last game with the Phillies. “You just make a lot of different relationships in the clubhouse, and you never know how it’s gonna work out … They’ve become family.”
Schwarber has tied Shohei Ohtani for MLB’s second-most home runs (187) behind Aaron Judge since joining the Phillies. The designated hitter crushed an MLB-leading 56 of them this season before keeping Philadelphia alive with two more long balls in a Game 3 win.
The 32-year-old should cash in with a massive payday after playing every game in a career year. Most teams would love to insert Schwarber into their lineup, but a reunion could especially make sense for a Red Sox offense seeking a big bopper.
Schwarber’s departure could signal the end of an era for an aging Phillies squad that made four straight postseasons with Schwarber following a 10-year playoff drought. But the big left-hander didn’t sound like someone eager to leave.
“You just never know how it’s gonna go,” Schwarber said. “These guys know how I feel about them. I got a lot of respect for the guys in here, the organization, the coaching staff. Everyone, top to bottom. This is a premier organization, and a lot of people should feel very lucky that you’re playing for a team that is trying to win every single year.”
