When news of Kyle Schwarber's free agent contract broke last Tuesday, the immediate feeling across the Philadelphia area was elation. The Philadelphia Phillies didn't let their star slugger walk in free agency to join another club, keeping him in Philadelphia for possibly the remainder of his career.
The Phillies were seeking a few options to help bolster their roster, but Schwarber was priority No. 1 given his skill set and value as a clubhouse member. It wasn't an absolute need to have him return, given the money it took to get him, but something would have just felt off without him around even with the additional financial commitment of the five-year, $150 million deal.