The results from this poll of Philadelphia Phillies fans may shock you.
A bunch of key Philadelphia Phillies players have hit the open market this offseason, meaning that the Phillies will have some very difficult decisions to make.
Kyle Schwarber is certainly the cream of the crop as far as Philadelphia's free agents are concerned, but names like Ranger Suarez, J.T. Realmuto and Harrison Bader are also free to sign elsewhere.
You would think Phillies fans would want the team to do everything in its power to retain Schwarber, who just smashed 56 home runs to go along with 132 RBI this past year, but apparently, they actually would prefer they keep Bader over the lefty slugger.
Phillies Nation recently conducted a "stay or go" poll for a handful of notable Philadelphia players, and 82 percent of the fans wanted Schwarber to stay. Meanwhile, 89 percent of them voted in favor of keeping Bader.
This is puzzling, to say the least.
Schwarber has been a member of the Phillies since 2022 and has hit over 45 home runs in three of his four campaigns in the City of Brotherly Love. In four seasons with Philadelphia, Schwarber has slashed .226/.349/.507, amassing a grand total of 187 homers.
Yes, Schwarber strikes out a ton and is definitely not a contact hitter, but when he does make contact, great things tend to happen.
Meanwhile, Bader just arrived via trade with the Minnesota Twins midway through the 2025 campaign. Sure, 31-year-old slashed an impressive .305/.361/.463 in 50 games and 194 plate appearances in Philly, but he is a lifetime .714 OPS hitter with an extensive injury history.
Outfield is absolutely a pressing need for the Phillies, as Max Kepler is also a free agent, and Nick Castellanos is a sure-fire goner, but to advocate for Bader over Schwarber is wild.
Of course, it's not like the fans want Schwarber out the door. They are overwhelmingly in favor of keeping him (although I did expect a number closer to 90 percent). It's just the idea of essentially favoring Bader — a very replaceable player — over Schwarber that doesn't make much sense.
It should be noted that Schwarber will be 33 years old by the start of next season and is seeking a lucrative long-term contract, so that may certainly be playing a role in the thought process of the Philly faithful.
But based on everything Schwarber did for the team in 2025, finishing second in NL MVP voting, he should absolutely be Philadelphia's top priority this winter.