The Kyle Schwarber sweepstakes is heating up.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Schwarber could sign by the end of next week’s winter meetings.

Schwarber is my No. 1 Phillies target. The entire offseason Plan A hinges on bringing the slugger back to this lineup for 2026 and beyond. If he walks, I’m not sure the Phillies will be able to pivot well enough to construct a lineup capable of truly competing for a World Series next year.

But that world exists. I’ve accepted that Schwarber could walk. But there’s one place the Phillies simply can’t let him leave for.