Phillies Fans Can Breathe Easy After Owner’s Assuring Message on Kyle Schwarber

Phillies Fans Can Breathe Easy After Owner’s Assuring Message on Kyle Schwarber originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Since joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, Kyle Schwarber has mashed 168 home runs and driven in 388 RBIs across 572 games. He led the National League with 46 home runs in his first season with the team. Now, he's threatening to top that mark in 2025.

In July alone, Schwarber has been scorching: 11 home runs and 25 RBIs in 22 games. With 37 home runs and 86 RBIs through 107 games this season, he's within reach of a new career high, while also ranking among the league's top sluggers in both categories.

However for the all the thunder in his bat, Schwarber's greatest value may lie in everything that doesn't show up on a scorecard.

That's what Phillies owner John Middleton wanted to make clear when he appeared on Jayson Stark's Starkville podcast this week. As Schwarber approaches free agency, Middleston didn't shy away from the obvious question: how far is the team willing to go to keep him?

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"Huge," Middleton said of Schwarber's importance. "I mean look, you've heard Dave [Dombrowski] make public statements. Dave doesn't do that very often. But he's said 'We need him, we want him and we love him.'"

He added: "He makes a difference in the clubhouse, field and in the dugout. What I learned is that he makes a difference in the community too."

Then came the line Phillies fans have been hoping to hear: "We will do everything we can to keep him. It doesn't mean that we're going to be able to, but I guarantee you that we are going to go down swinging."

"No one should question our sincerity in order to keep him."

For a fanbase that's grown attacheds to Schwarber's fire and leadership, Middelton's comments offer more than hope, they sound like a promise.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.