The Philadelphia Phillies want Kyle Schwarber back, but his agent is letting the market play out. Will he return to Philadelphia or chase a bigger payday? Casey Close, Schwarber's agent, is in no hurry. He wants to let the winter play itself out and see what offers come across his desk.
The Philadelphia Phillies spent most of their time at the Major League Baseball's general managers' meetings visiting with other clubs and all major agencies. It should come as no surprise that they spent a lot of time with the agents from Excel Sports Management, who represent Kyle Schwarber.
Agent Casey Close, who is handling the Schwarber negotiations, also represents Kyle Tucker. It does not take a scientist to put together the fact that Dave Dombrowski and company are keeping close tabs on the agent and watching his every move.
Close appears to be in no rush to get a deal done for Schwarber. November deals hardly ever get done. However, Dombrowski and the Phillies have made it clear that they want Schwarber back. According to sources, they do not want to run the risk of a protracted negotiation. They want to sign him sooner rather than later.
His camp wants to let the system play out. Schwarber earned it. He earned the right to test the free agency waters and see what he can get on the open market. He has his dance card and he is willing to let it fill up before making a decision on marriage.
Schwarber will be 33 years old on opening day. He just finished second in the National League MVP voting. He is coveted by the Phillies, but there is a question as to what he is worth to other teams in the open market. This is Schwarber's last chance to break the bank and name his price. He is entitled to go through the motions and test the shark-infested waters.
It is rumored to believe the Phillies will give Schwarber all the time he needs and also give him his space. They are going to let Schwarber dance with the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox and other teams and hopefully be the ones who get the diamond-encrusted ring.
This winter the Phillies have a lot of work to do, other than Schwarber. They have other free agents they want to retain. Dombrowski has indicated publicly that he has a lot of work ahead of him.
“People understand that you’re not showing all your cards all the time, right?” Dombrowski said. “You’re at least being straightforward enough to know what we’re trying to accomplish, but I don’t know if we’ll be able to accomplish that. And then if not, we’re moving on to Plan B.”