Not that there was any doubt before, but you can officially count Bryce Harper among the people who want to see Kyle Schwarber stay with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies' first baseman said as much to the team's MLB.com beat writer, Todd Zolecki.

“I don’t want him to go anywhere else,” Harper told him. “And that’s not me saying anything to ownership or Dave [Dombrowski]. Obviously, they want him to. And I think he wants to be here. I think he likes the community. He likes where he lives. But also, you know, it’s nice to be wanted.”

Schwarber, now in his 11th Major League season, is due to hit free agency at the end of the year, and he's making the most of the last season on his contract. Through 40 games, he is tied with Aaron Judge for the Major League lead in home runs (14) and is hitting for a .998 OPS.

He has helped carry the Phillies to a 24-16 record, putting them a game-and-a-half behind the New York Mets in the NL East.

“I was talking to somebody the other day,” Harper added. “And I was like, ‘Man, it would be weird not to have [Schwarber] in our clubhouse.’ He’s such a good leader. He’s such a good person in the community. Great family, great person. I think he’s a guy that obviously our team can build around.

Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber's free agent value

Article Continues Below
More Phillies News
Feature Image Mick Abel
Ken Rosenthal pulls back the curtain on Phillies rookie Mick Abel’s 2025 turnaroundDylan Fine ·
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) looks on against the New York Mets in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies’ Zack Wheeler’s blunt take on Juan Soto battle after beating MetsJosh Davis ·
Jun 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) and outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) advance home to score against the New York Mets in the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos accomplish an insane base running feat vs. MetsMike Gianakos ·
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) looks on during an injury delay in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Phillies’ Bryce Harper takes key step in injury rehabZachary Howell ·
hiladelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) hits a walk off RBI single during the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies’ Nick Castellanos breaks silence after recent benchingJosh Davis ·
Nick Castellanos, Ranger Suarez, and Cristopher Sanchez must represent Phillies on All-Star team
3 Philadelphia Phillies who must make 2025 All-Star TeamRB Hayek ·
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) hits a single during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Schwarber is in the final year of a four-year contract he signed with the Phillies in 2022, worth $79 million. As ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote last week, it's not unthinkable that the 32-year-old DH could command $100 million in this round of free agency.

“He is terminally productive,” Passan wrote. “He is an exceptional clubhouse leader. Nobody would blink at giving him $25 million a year, and a four-year ask, particularly in a class weak on high-end bats, is eminently reasonable.”

As Schwarber continues to mash, he continues to become more attractive to potential suitors. His strikeout rate so far in 2025 is a career-low 20.8% while his walk rate has inched up to 16.3%, over two points above his career average.

Harper also seemed to recognize Schwarber's free agent value.

“Obviously, he’s going to make a lot of money [as a free agent],” he said. “He’s going to be a very hot commodity on the market. He’s a guy that hits homers. He’s a great clubhouse guy and a leader. I hope he doesn’t get [to free agency]. He’s a guy that we can use for the next few years.”